By Jorge Hernandez
A huge statue of Lionel Messi in India will be removed in the coming days after it began to move dangerously with the wind in the city of Calcuttaa situation that set off alarms among neighbors and passersby shortly after the start of the World Cup 2026.
The metal structure, considered one of the largest dedicated to the Argentine soccer player, measures more than 20 meters high and is located in the Lake Town neighborhood. The figure represents Messi raising the World Cup with the Argentine national team.
India is going to remove the statue of Messi
It moves with the wind and they had to secure it with ropes because the neighbors are afraid of it.
The government determined that it is unsafe and ordered its removal pic.twitter.com/yZwfzkNrzb
— ElBuni (@therealbuni) Could perhaps 28, 2026
Authorities detected flaws in the structure of the Messi statue
According to local reports, residents of the area notified authorities after observing unusual movements in the statue during strong gusts of wind.
“During the inspection it was discovered that the screws on the main frame had become loose, which could have caused the movement that people noticed, although the problem has now been rectified,” a local official told the Indian news agency PTI.
After the review, public works personnel temporarily secured the structure with high-strength nylon ropes and placed barricades around the area to prevent risks to pedestrians and vehicles.
The statue was inaugurated during Messi’s visit to India
The gigantic figure of Lionel Messi was officially presented last December during the GOAT Tour, an event that marked the visit of the world champion to different cities in India such as CalcuttaHyderabad, Bombay and New Delhi.
The presence of the Argentine star caused enormous expectations among soccer fans, especially after conquering the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar 2022.
?BREAKING: A 70ft statue of Leo Messi in Kolkata, inaugurated right by means of his India tour, is being relocated to a safer space after it turned into once deemed unsafe as a result of swaying within the wind. pic.twitter.com/zkx5iA37ni
— Inter Miami News Hub (@Intermiamicfhub) Could perhaps 28, 2026
Messi’s figure was also criticized on social networks
In addition to structural problems, the statue had already generated controversy since its inauguration due to questions over construction permits.
On social networks, users also mocked the design for the lack of physical resemblance to the Argentine player, a situation that quickly made the image of the effigy go viral.
While the authorities evaluate the definitive removal of the structure, the case has already become one of the most talked about topics related to Lionel Messi in India prior to World Cup 2026.
Continue reading:
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– Lionel Scaloni spoke about Lionel Messi’s injury before the World Cup
– Lionel Messi is approaching a new record in the 2026 World Cup
