Kolkata Removes 70-Foot Messi Statue Over Safety Concerns

Kolkata’s giant Messi monument comes down after safety alarm

Kolkata's ambitious tribute to football legend Lionel Messi has been taken down less than six months after its inauguration.

Early Monday morning, heavy cranes, engineering teams and Public Works Department officials arrived at Lake Town's busy VIP Road corridor to begin dismantling the towering 70-foot structure that had become one of the city's most talked-about landmarks. The decision followed repeated complaints from local residents who alleged that the statue appeared to sway dangerously during strong winds.

Authorities said the removal was necessary before the onset of the monsoon season, when strong winds and heavy rain could further compromise the structure's stability.

The giant installation depicted Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy following Argentina's triumph in Qatar in 2022. It had quickly become a selfie hotspot and a symbol of Bengal's enduring love affair with football.

What led to the removal?

Concerns first emerged last week when residents living near the Lake Town Clock Tower area reported visible movement in the upper portion of the statue during periods of strong wind.

Following those complaints, engineers from the Public Works Department conducted an inspection of the fibreglass-and-iron structure. Officials reportedly found what they described as structural deficiencies and balance-related issues. Engineers concluded that the monument's centre of gravity may not have been properly aligned, creating a risk during adverse weather conditions.

A senior PWD official, quoted in multiple local reports, said the statue's footing and weight distribution had become a matter of concern.

The structure had already been secured using heavy ropes from both sides in recent days while authorities evaluated the next course of action. Images of the tied-down statue spread rapidly across social media platforms, triggering memes, debates and criticism.

A landmark linked to Messi's India tour

The monument was installed during Messi's high-profile visit to India in December 2025 as part of his much-publicised "GOAT India Tour".

The visit generated enormous excitement across West Bengal, where football enjoys a near-religious following. Thousands gathered to catch a glimpse of the Argentine superstar, and the statue was unveiled as a grand tribute to one of the greatest footballers in history.

Standing approximately 70 feet tall, the structure combined a 44-foot fibreglass figure mounted on a concrete pedestal and supported by an iron framework. It was commissioned by the Sreebhumi Sporting Club and quickly became one of Kolkata's most photographed sports-themed installations.

However, the monument also attracted criticism from sections of the public who questioned both its design and the decision to erect such a large statue dedicated to a foreign footballer while many Indian football legends remain underrepresented in public spaces.

Possible relocation now under consideration

Officials insist the statue is not being scrapped permanently.

Instead, the government is exploring alternative locations where it can be reassembled after necessary structural modifications.

According to reports, one of the strongest possibilities is Eco Park, where larger open spaces could provide a safer environment for the monument. Other locations are also under discussion.

Engineers are attempting to remove the structure in one piece. The operation involves securing the statue with heavy-duty cables before lifting it using a 40-tonne crane. Workers are then expected to cut through portions of the supporting framework for safe transportation.

Officials have not announced a timeline for reinstallation.

Political undertones emerge

The controversy has inevitably acquired a political dimension.

The statue was widely associated with the football promotion initiatives pursued during the tenure of Mamata Banerjee and several state-backed sporting projects launched over the past decade.

The removal comes only weeks after another football-themed public artwork near Salt Lake Stadium was dismantled amid criticism over its appearance and relevance.

Opposition leaders have used the Messi statue controversy to attack what they describe as wasteful public spending and poor planning. Supporters of the project, however, argue that the statue became a unique attraction and helped reinforce Kolkata's identity as India's football capital.

Public reaction divided

The removal has sparked intense reactions online.

Many football fans expressed disappointment that a monument celebrating one of the sport's greatest icons could not remain at its original location. Others welcomed the decision, saying public safety must come first.

On social media platforms, particularly among Kolkata-based users, debates have focused on whether future monuments should honour Indian football legends such as Gostha Pal, P. K. Banerjee, and Chuni Goswami instead.

Some residents living near the installation site said they had become increasingly worried after noticing movement in the structure during storms.

"The concern wasn't about Messi. It was about safety," a local resident told reporters. "The road remains crowded throughout the day. If something had happened during a storm, the consequences could have been serious."

What happens next?

For now, Kolkata's most ambitious football monument is heading into storage.

Engineers will assess whether modifications can strengthen the structure before it is reinstalled at a new location. Government departments are expected to finalise a relocation site in the coming weeks.

The episode serves as a reminder that even symbolic public projects require rigorous engineering oversight, particularly in a city vulnerable to seasonal storms and monsoon weather.

While the giant Messi statue may soon disappear from Lake Town's skyline, officials say it is unlikely to vanish from West Bengal altogether. The football icon's larger-than-life presence, it appears, is only changing address.