Thursday, May 28, 2026 - A massive tribute to football icon Lionel Messi is about to be dismantled just months after its grand unveiling. Government engineers in India have declared the giant monument structurally unsound, warning that it poses an immediate danger to the public.

The 21-meter (70-foot) golden statue, located in the Lake Town area of Kolkata, was erected to celebrate the Argentina superstar’s recent tour. However, West Bengal state engineers recently inspected the towering structure and discovered it was visibly swaying in the wind.

Because the monument looms directly over an incredibly busy main road, emergency teams had to scramble up the sculpture on Wednesday, using heavy-duty ropes around its shoulders as a temporary measure to keep it steady.

 Local lawmakers have confirmed that the statue is no longer safe for the public. While plans are officially underway to bring it down at the earliest opportunity, officials admit that dismantling a structure of this scale on a congested thoroughfare is proving easier said than done.

The statue shows the 38-year-old Inter Miami forward triumphantly hoisting the World Cup trophy—a nod to Argentina’s historic victory in Qatar. It was remotely unveiled by Messi himself in December during his high-profile tour of the region.

While India is globally recognized as a cricket-dominated nation, football holds a massive, passionate following in West Bengal. Recent data confirms football firmly stands as the country's second favorite sport, with fans regularly going to extreme lengths to honor their international heroes.

Local authorities have not yet decided if the golden monument will be repaired and re-erected at a safer, alternative location.

Meanwhile, the timing adds an unexpected backdrop to the upcoming international schedule. Argentina is preparing to launch its next World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City. 

Although no official confirmation has been made, the talismanic forward is widely expected to return to the pitch, aiming for a record-matching sixth appearance at the tournament.