A giant statue of football superstar Lionel Messi erected in India to mark his visit last year is “swaying in the wind” and will be removed, a lawmaker told AFP on Wednesday. Workers have scrambled up the 21-metre (70-foot) golden-coloured statue in the eastern city of Kolkata in West Bengal, throwing ropes around its shoulders to secure it.
The sculpture showing the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami star raising the World Cup trophy was unveiled during Messi’s so-called GOAT Tour of India in December. West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee said it’s no longer safe. “The statue of the Argentine football legend in the city of Kolkata was found unsafe by engineers of the West Bengal government,” he said.
“Removal has proved easier said than done,” Mukherjee added. “We’re planning to remove the statue at the earliest opportunity.” He didn’t say whether the statue would be re-erected at another site. Argentina is set to begin its World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City. Messi hasn’t formally confirmed his plans to play in the World Cup, but he’s widely expected to return for what would be a record-matching sixth appearance at the tournament.
Football is the country’s second favourite sport, according to research by data company Nielsen released on Wednesday. India — a nation of 1.4 billion — is a cricket powerhouse, but it struggles on the football pitch and is 142nd on the FIFA rankings. This ranking shouldn't come as a surprise to many in the country. The majority of its citizens haven’t even seen a World Cup match, let alone played one.
The statue was erected in a bid to boost football enthusiasm in the country, which has a rich football history but lacks the success of its cricketing counterparts. The effort has had unintended consequences regarding safety concerns. The statue might be re-erected elsewhere later.
“The statue of the Argentine football legend in the city of Kolkata was found unsafe by engineers of the West Bengal government,” Sharadwat Mukherjee said.
The removal of the statue highlights the delicate balance between public art and public safety. While the statue may be seen as a gesture of goodwill towards football fans in the country, safety is the top priority.
The removal process is expected to begin soon, with workers set to dismantle the statue and relocate it to a safer location. The exact timing of the removal is unclear, but the people of Kolkata won’t be losing their unique football landmark anytime soon.
Key Facts
- The statue is 21-metres tall
- The statue was unveiled in December 2025
- The statue is made of golden-coloured material
- The statue was deemed unsafe by engineers of the West Bengal government
- India has a population of 1.4 billion
- Football is the second favourite sport in India
- Argentina is set to begin its World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria
Context Football in India may not be the most popular sport, but it has a certain charm to it. The country has produced some of the best football players of all time, including the likes of Sunil Chhetri and Bhaichung Bhutia. Despite its rich football history, the country has struggled to make an impact on the global stage. The removal of the Messi statue acts as a wake-up call for the country to focus more on developing its football infrastructure.
The country has invested heavily in cricket, with the Indian Premier League (IPL) being one of the most popular and lucrative cricket leagues in the world. Football is a sport that’s close to the hearts of many Indians. It will eventually gain more recognition on the global stage.
The removal of the Messi statue is a development that highlights the structural and safety requirements for large public installations. It reminds authorities of the importance of prioritizing safety in public art projects, and it stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of football in the country.