Archive · 22 Jul 2026
Messi Statue Relocated to Hidden Storage
A giant statue of Lionel Messi, once a prominent landmark in Kolkata, has been moved to a hidden storage yard.
The statue, which was installed in 2025, was removed due to safety concerns after residents complained about it swaying in strong winds.
The 70-foot structure is now wrapped in black tarpaulin and guarded by a security guard.
While some residents see it as an eyesore, others remember it as a significant tribute to one of football's greatest players.
The statue's future remains uncertain as it sits hidden behind open gates.
A 70-foot Lionel Messi statue was removed from Lake Town Crossing in Kolkata due to safety concerns.
The statue was installed by the Trinamool government in 2025.
Residents complained about the statue swaying in strong winds, fearing it could collapse.
The statue is now stored in a PWD yard off VIP Road, wrapped in black tarpaulin.
The future of the statue remains uncertain as it sits hidden behind open gates.
- Who
- Residents of Lake Town and the Trinamool government
- What
- Relocation of a 70-foot Lionel Messi statue
- When
- June 1, 2026
- Where
- Kolkata, India
- Why
- Safety concerns due to structural instability
Residents' Safety Concerns
Artistic and Cultural Value
Safety Concerns
Residents' Safety Concerns
Residents complained about the statue swaying in strong winds, fearing it could collapse onto the busy crossing below.
Artistic and Cultural Value
The statue was a significant landmark and a tribute to Lionel Messi, one of football's most recognizable icons.
- Location
- PWD storage yard off VIP Road, Kolkata
- Height
- 70 feet
- Installation Year
- 2025
- Removal Date
- June 1, 2026
- Reason for Removal
- Structural stability concerns