Lionel Messi is set to unveil a remarkable 70-foot statue of himself at the Sreebhumi Sporting Club in Kolkata, as part of his much-anticipated GOAT Tour India 2025. This virtual unveiling will take place on Saturday, marking the start of a celebration dedicated to the football icon.
The legendary Argentine player arrived in Kolkata early on Saturday morning, greeted by enthusiastic fans eager to see him. Large crowds gathered at key locations throughout the city, highlighting Messi’s tremendous popularity in India, and particularly in West Bengal.
At the heart of this celebration is the impressive iron statue constructed by the Sreebhumi Sporting Club. Standing at 70 feet tall, the statue features Messi with the FIFA World Cup trophy, symbolizing his victory with Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The virtual unveiling by Messi himself adds a special touch to the occasion.
According to Sujit Bose, the West Bengal Minister and President of the Sreebhumi Sporting Club, the statue was created in a remarkable timeframe of just 40 days. “This is a very big statue, 70 feet in height. There is no other statue of Messi this big in the world,” he remarked, pointing out the significance of Messi’s fanbase in the region.
This marks Messi’s first visit to India since 2011. During his previous trip, he played a friendly match in Kolkata, where Argentina secured a 1-0 victory over Venezuela. His return after 14 years has ignited excitement among football lovers, who are readying themselves for a grand reception.
The promoter of Messi’s GOAT India Tour, Satadru Dutta, noted the positive atmosphere surrounding the player’s visit. “There’s a great atmosphere of joy that Messi is coming to India after 14 years… It’s also good for the fans,” he remarked, emphasizing the renewed enthusiasm for football in the country. He also highlighted the growing connection between football in India and sponsorship opportunities, stating that never before have so many sponsors engaged with Indian football.