Messi’s GOAT statue in India to be removed over safety concerns

Statue of Lionel Messi Unveiled in Kolkata, India, to be Removed Due to Safety Concerns

A 21-metre tall golden statue of football player Lionel Messi was unveiled in Kolkata, West Bengal, last year as part of his GOAT Tour of India. The sculpture depicts the 38-year-old Argentine and Inter Miami player holding the World Cup trophy. However, according to West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee, engineers have deemed the statue unsafe due to its instability on a busy road.

Engineers noticed that the statue was swaying in the wind, prompting workers to use ropes to secure it. The removal of the statue has been planned, but no specific date has been set. “Removal has proved easier said than done,” Mukherjee stated. “We are planning to remove the statue at the earliest opportunity.”

The statue’s fate remains uncertain, with no information on whether it will be re-erected at another site. Lionel Messi is expected to participate in the upcoming World Cup, which Argentina will begin on June 16 against Algeria. The tournament marks Messi’s potential sixth appearance, and he remains a key player for his team as they defend their title won four years ago.

India has struggled with football, ranking 142nd on the FIFA rankings, but it is the country’s second favourite sport, according to research by data company Nielsen.

Source: Al Jazeera