Messi's GOAT statue in India to be removed over safety concerns

A 21-metre golden-coloured Lionel Messi statue in Kolkata was unveiled in December during Messi’s GOAT Tour of India. The statue depicts Messi raising the World Cup trophy and was erected to mark his visit. West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee said engineers found the statue unsafe because it was swaying in the wind. Workers attempted to secure it by throwing ropes around its shoulders while it loomed over a busy road. Mukherjee said it was not clear when removal would happen, but that plans were underway to remove it at the earliest opportunity. The statue’s future location was not specified. Messi is expected to return for a potential record-matching sixth World Cup appearance.

"Removal has proved easier said than done, he said. We are planning to remove the statue at the earliest opportunity. He did not say whether the statue would be re-erected at another site. Argentina is set to begin its World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City. Messi has not formally confirmed his plans to play in the World Cup, but is widely expected to return for what would be a record-matching sixth appearance at the tournament."

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