Lionel Messi 70-foot statue in Kolkata to be removed over safety concerns
Kolkata authorities will dismantle a 70-foot statue of Lionel Messi after safety concerns were raised over its structural stability, as per ESPN reports.
Kolkata authorities will dismantle a 70-foot statue of Lionel Messi after safety concerns were raised over its structural stability, as per ESPN reports.
Nearly six months after Lionel Messi’s controversial Kolkata appearance descended into chaos, organiser Satadru Dutta admitted he regrets bringing the football icon to the city.
At a time when the sport is struggling for basic stability, the scale and symbolism of the spending around Messi’s visit raised difficult questions.
The prestigious recognition was awarded to Minerva Academy’s Under-15 team, which created history in August 2025 by delivering a sensational performance in Europe.
