Authorities in India have announced plans to remove a massive statue of football icon Lionel Messi in the city of Kolkata after engineers declared the structure unsafe.
The 21-metre-tall golden statue, which depicts the Argentine captain lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy, was unveiled in December during Messi’s “GOAT Tour” of India.
However, concerns emerged after officials discovered that the towering structure was swaying during heavy winds and rainstorms.
Workers were seen on Wednesday climbing the statue and fastening ropes around it in an attempt to stabilise the structure while authorities prepare for its removal.
West Bengal lawmaker, Sharadwat Mukherjee, said engineers from the state government found the statue to be unsafe for the public.
“The statue of the Argentine football legend in the city of Kolkata was found unsafe by engineers of the West Bengal government,” Mukherjee said.
“We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind,” he added.
According to him, removing the structure has proven difficult due to its massive size and location along a busy roadway.
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“Removal has proved easier said than done. We are planning to remove the statue at the earliest opportunity,” the lawmaker stated.
Authorities have yet to confirm whether the statue will be relocated and reinstalled at another site.
Messi, 38, currently plays for Inter Miami CF and remains one of football’s biggest global stars after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago.
Although the Argentine captain has not officially confirmed whether he will feature at the next FIFA World Cup, he is widely expected to return for what could be a record-equalling sixth appearance at the tournament.
India, despite being globally recognised as a cricket powerhouse, continues to develop its football culture and is currently ranked 142nd in the FIFA world rankings. Football remains the country’s second most popular sport, according to recent research released by data company Nielsen.