Lionel Messi statue in Kolkata to be removed after engineers find it unsafe
Kolkata’s 21m golden Lionel Messi statue will be removed after engineers determined it is unstable and swaying in the wind, officials said, with authorities planning removal and possible relocation.
The giant 21-metre Lionel Messi statue in Kolkata, erected last December to mark the football star’s India visit, will be taken down after state engineers concluded the structure was unsafe. Local lawmakers and contractors began on-site work this week after noticing the statue swaying in gusts of wind above a busy city road. Workers were seen securing ropes around the figure as an initial safety measure while officials prepare for a removal operation. No firm timetable has been set for dismantling or for whether the monument will be reinstalled at a different site.
Engineers rule statue unsafe
West Bengal state engineers inspected the bronze-coloured statue and reported structural concerns that prompted officials to halt any further display without corrective action. A member of the state legislative council told news agencies that the assessment showed movement in the upper sections of the installation when exposed to wind. That engineering judgment underpinned the decision to plan a removal rather than undertake ad hoc repairs on-site. Authorities described the process as complex, noting the statue’s height and prominent placement above a main thoroughfare increase the logistical challenges.
Temporary stabilisation measures on busy road
Labourers were dispatched this week to wrap heavy ropes around the statue’s shoulders and base in a bid to keep it steady while engineers prepared a removal plan. The structure, which overlooks a frequently trafficked street, attracted attention as vehicles and pedestrians passed underneath during the stabilisation work. Officials said the ropes were a temporary safety measure and not a substitute for a full engineering remedy or dismantling. Municipal teams coordinated with police to manage traffic during the operations to minimise risk to commuters.
Statue’s origin and symbolism explained
The statue was unveiled last December during the Argentinian star’s publicised visit to India, when organisers marked the occasion by commissioning a towering depiction of the player lifting a World Cup trophy. Promoters described the installation as a celebration of global football culture and the player’s international stature. The figure’s golden finish and dramatic posture were intended to create a landmark and a focal point for fans in the city. Doubts about long-term suitability surfaced only after months of exposure to seasonal winds and urban conditions.
Officials weigh dismantling and relocation options
State officials acknowledged that removal will not be straightforward and said they are studying the safest means to dismantle and transport the statue. Engineers and municipal planners will need to determine whether the work requires cranes, modular disassembly or specialist rigs to lower the 21-metre structure without endangering nearby buildings. Authorities have not confirmed whether the statue will be relocated to a safer venue, stored, or reinstalled after reinforcement. Local officials emphasised that public safety is the overriding priority and that any decision will balance heritage value, cost and technical feasibility.
Football context: Messi, World Cup 2026 and fan interest
The statue’s appearance in Kolkata coincided with heightened global interest in Lionel Messi as he approaches a likely appearance at the 2026 World Cup, where Argentina are seeded to begin their campaign in mid-June. While Messi has not publicly finalised his tournament plans, sports analysts widely expect the veteran forward to seek a sixth World Cup appearance. The monument’s World Cup imagery was explicitly tied to that narrative, celebrating the player’s role in Argentina’s recent international success. Kolkata’s brief episode with the statue underscores how football icons generate strong local reactions even in countries where the sport is not dominant.
Public response and the sport’s standing in India
Reaction among local residents and supporters was mixed, with some lamenting the loss of a new attraction and others welcoming prompt action to remove a potential hazard. India, where cricket remains preeminent, has nonetheless seen growing interest in football; recent market research places the game as the country’s second-most popular sport. The national team’s world ranking sits low by international standards, but high-profile visits by global stars and symbolic installations have helped raise visibility for the sport. City authorities said they would engage with community stakeholders before deciding any future display plans for the statue.
Officials have committed to publishing a detailed removal plan once contractors and structural engineers finalise the safest course of action, and they stressed that any relocation would follow further technical review and public consultation.