India to move Messi’s 70-foot statue over safety concerns

A 70-foot statue of Lionel Messi in Kolkata, India, is set to be taken down after engineers raised safety concerns and reported that the structure was swaying in strong winds.

The monument, installed in December during Messi’s “GOAT tour” of India, was intended as a tribute to the Argentine football star.

However, local authorities say structural issues were identified following complaints from residents earlier this week.

West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee confirmed that engineers from the Public Works Department inspected the installation and found it unsafe.

As reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday, Mukherjee was quoted as saying, “The statue of the Argentine football legend was found [to be] unsafe.

“We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind.”

Officials said the statue’s location near a busy road and a subway system has made the planned removal more complicated. “It is easier said than done,” Mukherjee added, noting that authorities are working on a plan to dismantle and relocate it as soon as possible.

Local reports indicate that the fiberglass-and-iron structure has been temporarily stabilized with heavy-duty nylon ropes, while barricades have been placed around the area to keep pedestrians and traffic away.

The statue was assembled over 27 days by a 45-member crew and was unveiled virtually by Messi, who appeared on a video screen and activated a ceremonial switch.

His visit to Kolkata during the broader promotional tour was also marked by crowd-control issues at Salt Lake Stadium.

Authorities are now reviewing alternative sites where the statue could be reinstalled once it is made structurally safe.

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