Colossal Lionel Messi Statue in India to Be Removed After 'Swaying in the Breeze'

Labourers have climbed the 21-metre (70-foot) gold-coloured monument in the eastern city of Kolkata in West Bengal, looping ropes around its shoulders to stabilise it.

The sculpture, portraying the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami star raising the World Cup trophy, was revealed during Messi's so-called GOAT Tour of India last December.

However, West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee stated it was no longer safe.

"The statue of the Argentine football legend in the city of Kolkata was deemed unsafe by engineers from the West Bengal government," he said.

"We have observed that the statue is swaying in the breeze."

On Wednesday, workers used ropes in an attempt to secure the structure, which towers over a busy road.

Mukherjee noted it was unclear when it would be dismantled.

"Removal has proven easier said than done," he said. "We intend to remove the statue at the earliest opportunity."

He did not specify whether the statue would be re-erected elsewhere.

Argentina is scheduled to start its World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City. Messi has not formally confirmed his intentions to play in the World Cup, but it is widely anticipated he will return for what would be a record-matching sixth appearance at the tournament. He remains the team's talisman as they defend the title they won in Qatar four years ago.

India, a nation of 1.4 billion, is a cricket powerhouse but struggles in football and ranks 142nd in the FIFA standings. Nonetheless, football is the country's second favourite sport, according to research released on Wednesday by data firm Nielsen.