The giant statue of Lionel Messi in India has been dismantled.

The 21-meter statue of Lionel Messi, which was installed in Kolkata, India, was removed on Monday due to safety concerns and the risk of falling.

This golden statue depicted Messi holding the World Cup trophy and was taken down using hydraulic cranes and special equipment.

Local residents had reported in recent weeks that the statue was shaking and swaying on windy days, raising the possibility of an accident.

“Sharadwat Mukherjee,” a member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, stated:

“After complaints from local residents about the statue shaking due to the wind, the decision was made to remove it.”

According to him, the statue will currently be stored in a government warehouse while officials decide on a new installation location.

A souvenir from Messi's high-profile trip to India

This statue was unveiled in December 2025 during the famous GOAT Tour of India and quickly became one of the popular attractions for football fans in Kolkata.

Although India is more known for cricket, football, especially in Kolkata, has a large number of fans, and this city is considered one of the most important football centers in India.

Source: Gulf News