Breakfast Central

News
Programmes
Sports
Business News
Entertainment
Opinion
More
- Featured
- In Pictures
- Explainers
- Investigations
- Exclusives
- Investigations
- Technology
- Health
- Culture
- Townhall

WhatsApp channel

Watch now

News
Programmes
Sports
Business News
Entertainment
Opinion
More
- Featured
- In Pictures
- Explainers
- Investigations
- Exclusives
- Investigations
- Technology
- Health
- Culture
- Townhall

About
Engineering

WhatsApp channel

Watch
Menu Item
Buy Now
Live TV

Nigeria Decides 2027
Live
Trending
>
Townhall
Opinion
Featured
Exclusives
Investigations

Home Lionel Messi Statue

Lionel Messi Statue

1 post

Messi statue in India to be dismantled over safety fears A giant statue of football star Lionel Messi erected in India to celebrate his visit last year will be removed after officials raised safety concerns, a lawmaker said on Wednesday. The 21-metre (70-foot) golden-coloured structure, located in the eastern city of Kolkata in West Bengal, has reportedly been swaying in strong winds, prompting engineers to flag it as unsafe. Workers were seen securing the statue with ropes around its upper structure in an attempt to stabilise it. The statue, which depicts Messi lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy, was unveiled during his “GOAT Tour” of India in December. West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee said technical assessments had concluded that the installation posed a safety risk. He said engineers from the state government determined that the structure was unstable, adding that movement in windy conditions had raised alarm over its safety. "The statue of the Argentine football legend in the city of Kolkata was found unsafe by engineers of the West Bengal government," he said. "We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind." Mukherjee noted that efforts to take it down were ongoing, though no timeline had been confirmed. "Removal has proved easier said than done," he said. "We are planning to remove the statue at the earliest opportunity." It was also unclear whether the statue would be relocated or reconstructed elsewhere. India, a nation of more than 1.4 billion people, continues to show growing interest in football, which remains its second most popular sport.

Messi statue in India to be dismantled over safety fears A giant statue of football star Lionel Messi erected in India to celebrate his visit last year will be removed after officials raised safety concerns, a lawmaker said on Wednesday. The 21-metre (70-foot) golden-coloured structure, located in the eastern city of Kolkata in West Bengal, has reportedly been swaying in strong winds, prompting engineers to flag it as unsafe. Workers were seen securing the statue with ropes around its upper structure in an attempt to stabilise it. The statue, which depicts Messi lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy, was unveiled during his “GOAT Tour” of India in December. West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee said technical assessments had concluded that the installation posed a safety risk. He said engineers from the state government determined that the structure was unstable, adding that movement in windy conditions had raised alarm over its safety. "The statue of the Argentine football legend in the city of Kolkata was found unsafe by engineers of the West Bengal government," he said. "We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind." Mukherjee noted that efforts to take it down were ongoing, though no timeline had been confirmed. "Removal has proved easier said than done," he said. "We are planning to remove the statue at the earliest opportunity." It was also unclear whether the statue would be relocated or reconstructed elsewhere. India, a nation of more than 1.4 billion people, continues to show growing interest in football, which remains its second most popular sport.

Sports News

Messi Statue in India to be Removed

byIfeoluwa Ekpeti

May 27, 2026 | 15:19

Search

Recent Posts

Nigerian Troops Kill Six Terrorists in Adamawa
Africa Is No Longer Asking to Be Seen, it is Asking to Be Paid
South African Designer Develops Wall-Based Water Harvesting
Formula One Returns to Africa
AEW 2026: Sonangol Advances IPO Plans

Top News

Africa Is No Longer Asking to Be Seen, it is Asking to Be Paid
South African Designer Develops Wall-Based Water Harvesting
Togo Farmers Boost Cotton Yields
Kigali Hosts Africa’s Growth Conversation
Can Building Facades Help Solve Water Shortages?

Trending

News
About
Programmes
Connect
Watch

© 2026 News Central. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy Terms of Use Cookie Policy

WhatsApp channel

×