A giant statue of football star Lionel Messi erected in India to commemorate his visit last year is set to be removed after engineers raised safety concerns.
The structure, located in Kolkata, West Bengal, has been described as “swaying in the wind”, prompting authorities to take emergency steps to stabilise it.
Workers were seen climbing the 21-metre (70-foot) golden statue and securing it with ropes around its shoulders in an attempt to prevent it from toppling over.
The sculpture, which shows the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami forward lifting the World Cup trophy, was unveiled during his GOAT Tour of India in December 2025, with Messi participating virtually at the inauguration.
However, West Bengal lawmaker Sharadwat Mukherjee said the installation had been declared unsafe by government engineers.
“The statue of the Argentine football legend in the city of Kolkata was found unsafe by engineers of the West Bengal government,” he said.
“We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind.”
He added that removal had become urgent but complicated.
“Removal has proved easier said than done,” he said. “We are planning to remove the statue at the earliest opportunity.”
Authorities have not confirmed whether the statue will be relocated to another site.
Argentina are expected to begin their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City, with Messi widely tipped to feature in what could be his sixth appearance at the tournament.