Full Breakdown
Kolkata’s 21-Metre Lionel Messi Statue Ordered Dismantled Over Safety Concerns
5/27/2026, 8:13:31 PM
Immediate Safety Issue and Removal Decision
On 27 May 2026 West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee announced that engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD) had declared the 21-metre (70 ft) Lionel Messi monument in Kolkata unsafe after it was observed swaying in the wind. The inspection prompted an immediate order to remove and relocate the statue. Workers have secured the structure with heavy-duty nylon ropes and erected barricades to keep pedestrians and traffic clear while demolition plans are finalised.
Background: GOAT Tour and Statue Construction
The statue was erected in December 2025 as part of Messi’s “GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time) tour of India. Messi, then 38 and playing for Inter Miami, unveiled the monument remotely via video link, pressing a button to trigger the reveal. The sculpture depicts the Argentine forward lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy. Construction was carried out by a crew of 45 workers over 27 days, using a fiberglass and steel framework painted a golden colour. The monument was positioned beside a busy arterial road and adjacent to a subway line, a location that later complicated removal efforts.
Key Figures and Stakeholders
- Lionel Messi – Argentine football legend, subject of the statue.
- Sharadwat Mukherjee – West Bengal state legislator who communicated the safety findings.
- PWD Engineers – Conducted the structural inspection and reported severe compromise.
- Local Residents – Filed repeated complaints about the statue’s movement.
- Kolkata Municipal Authorities – Oversee the securing, dismantling, and potential relocation of the monument.
Data and Technical Details
- Height: 21 metres (70 ft).
- Materials: Fiberglass and steel (iron) framework.
- Construction timeline: 27 days, 45 workers.
- Safety measures: Heavy-duty nylon ropes, perimeter barricades.
- Site context: Overlooks a high-traffic road and a subway corridor.
Official Statements from West Bengal Authorities
PWD engineers concluded that the monument’s structural integrity was “severely compromised.” Mukherjee told AFP that the statue “was found unsafe” and that “removal has proved easier said than done,” but affirmed that authorities will act “at the earliest opportunity.” The government is also “exploring alternative locations” for a possible re-erection, though no site has been confirmed.
Local Opposition and Safety Concerns
Residents lodged multiple complaints about the statue’s swaying, citing the risk it posed to pedestrians and motorists on the adjacent road. The proximity to the subway line was highlighted as a factor that could exacerbate any collapse, reinforcing the urgency of the removal order.
Conflicting Reports and Unresolved Questions
- No definitive timetable has been provided for the dismantling process.
- Authorities have not disclosed whether the statue will be rebuilt elsewhere.
- Specific structural defects identified by engineers remain unspecified.
- Messi’s involvement was limited to a remote unveiling; he did not attend the physical ceremony.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The statue of the Argentine football legend was found [to be] unsafe,” — Sharadwat Mukherjee, West Bengal legislator
- “We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind.” — Sharadwat Mukherjee, West Bengal legislator
- “Removal has proved easier said than done,” — Sharadwat Mukherjee, West Bengal legislator
- “We will remove the statue as quickly as possible.” — Sharadwat Mukherjee, West Bengal legislator
What Comes Next
Kolkata authorities will continue to secure the monument while engineering teams develop a safe dismantling plan. Once removed, officials will assess potential sites for relocation, pending further safety reviews. The priority remains public safety pending the statue’s eventual fate.
