India's 70-foot Messi statue deemed unsafe, set for removal
India’s ‘unsafe’ 70ft Messi statue to be moved
A 70-foot statue of Lionel Messi in Kolkata, India has been ordered for removal after structural inspections found it unsafe for public proximity. The monument, erected in December during Messi's "GOAT" (greatest of all time) tour, was flagged by residents for swaying in the wind. Engineers from the Public Works Department conducted an inspection Monday and determined the fiberglass and iron structure had severely compromised integrity. State legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee confirmed the removal order, noting the statue's location near a busy road and subway complicates the process. Heavy-duty nylon ropes currently secure the structure, with barricades protecting pedestrians and traffic. The 27-day construction project involved a 45-person crew. Authorities are exploring alternative locations for the relocated monument.