Seventy-Foot Lionel Messi Statue in Kolkata Ordered for Removal After Structural Instability Triggers Safety Alarm

The giant monument, erected in December during Messi’s “GOAT” tour of India, where GOAT stands for “greatest of all time,” had recently become a source of alarm for local residents who reported visible instability in the structure.

Following multiple complaints on Monday, engineers from the Public Works Department conducted an on-site inspection of the installation. The assessment concluded that the statue’s structural integrity had been severely compromised, prompting authorities to order its immediate removal and relocation.

West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee confirmed the findings, stating that the statue of the Argentine football legend was deemed unsafe. He further noted, “We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind.”

Mukherjee also highlighted logistical challenges, pointing out that the statue’s proximity to a busy road and a subway system makes its removal a complex task. However, he added that authorities intend to proceed with its removal at the earliest possible opportunity.

In the meantime, the fibreglass and iron structure has been secured using heavy-duty nylon ropes, while barricades have been installed around the site to keep pedestrians and traffic at a safe distance.

Officials are also exploring alternative locations for the statue after its relocation. The monument, which took 27 days to assemble with the involvement of a 45-member construction crew, had been unveiled virtually by Messi himself, who appeared via video link and activated the unveiling through a remote-controlled button. His scheduled visit to Kolkata during the event was later overshadowed by violence reported at Salt Lake Stadium.

The incident has now raised broader questions over large-scale public installations and structural oversight, as authorities move to dismantle the towering tribute.