Messi statue removed in Kolkata: A 21-metre statue of footballer Lionel Messi has been taken down in India’s Kolkata after safety concerns were raised over the structure swaying in the wind.
The gold-coloured statue, showing Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, was removed from the Lake Town area on Monday using cranes and ropes. Local residents had reportedly complained that the structure appeared unstable during windy conditions.
West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee said the statue was removed after concerns over public safety. The structure is expected to be kept in government custody while authorities decide whether it can be relocated.
Messi Statue at Goat Tour
The statue was unveiled in December during Messi’s “GOAT” tour of India. Organisers had described it as the world’s tallest footballer statue.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, June 2, 2026
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