A towering statue of football legend Lionel Messi, erected in India to commemorate his visit last year, has been deemed unsafe and will be dismantled, a local lawmaker announced on Wednesday. The 21-meter (70-foot) golden-colored statue, located in the eastern city of Kolkata in West Bengal, has been observed swaying in the wind, prompting authorities to take action.
Safety concerns prompt removal
Workers have been seen climbing the statue and securing ropes around its shoulders to stabilize it temporarily. The sculpture, which depicts the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami star hoisting the World Cup trophy, was unveiled during Messi's GOAT Tour of India in December. However, West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee stated that engineers from the state government found the structure unsafe. "We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind," he said.
Challenges in dismantling
Mukherjee noted that removing the statue has proven difficult. "Removal has proved easier said than done. We are planning to remove the statue at the earliest opportunity," he added. It remains unclear whether the statue will be re-erected at another location.
Messi's World Cup prospects
Argentina is set to begin its World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City. Messi has not yet formally confirmed his participation, but he is widely expected to play, which would mark his sixth World Cup appearance, matching a record. He remains the team's talisman as they defend the title won in Qatar four years ago.
Football in India
India, a nation of 1.4 billion, is a cricket powerhouse but struggles in football, ranking 142nd in the FIFA rankings. However, according to research by data company Nielsen released on Wednesday, football is the country's second favorite sport.
