Lionel Messi’s 70-foot statue removed in Kolkata after safety concerns

The statue, installed in West Bengal after Messi’s visit to India in December last year, had become a local attraction

KOLKATA: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-June 3^rd, 2026) A 70-foot-high statue of Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has been removed from its installation site in India’s eastern city of Kolkata following complaints and safety concerns, according to media reports.

The statue, installed in West Bengal after Messi’s visit to India in December last year, had become a local attraction. However, reports suggest that residents raised concerns regarding its stability and structural safety.

Following the complaints, engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD) inspected the installation site and subsequently ordered the removal of the statue. Officials said the structure was shifted to another location after being deemed unsafe.

A state legislator, Shraddha Mukherjee, was quoted by local media as saying that the statue appeared unstable and was swaying in the wind, prompting authorities to take precautionary measures.

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According to reports by the Press Trust of India, the statue will remain under the custody of the Public Works Department. No official announcement has yet been made regarding its reinstallation or future placement.

The installation had drawn significant public attention when it was unveiled, reflecting Messi’s global popularity and strong fan following in India, particularly in West Bengal, where football enjoys a passionate audience.

Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history, has a massive international fan base, and his visit to India last year had triggered widespread excitement among supporters.

The local authorities have not provided a timeline for whether the statue will be reinstalled at another location or modified to address safety concerns.

The development has sparked discussion among fans and local residents, many of whom had visited the site to view the towering structure.