Lionel Messi's 70‑ft statue in Kolkata vanished after engineers warned it swayed dangerously in wind. Unveiled during the Argentine's December 'GOAT' tour, the fiberglass‑iron monument drew crowds before safety concerns surfaced. Local residents lodged complaints, prompting a PWD inspection that flagged severe structural compromise and plans for its relocation were immediately set in motion today.

State legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee declared the statue unsafe, noting its tendency to sway near a busy road and subway. Heavy‑duty nylon ropes and barricades had been installed last week, yet the monument's proximity made removal complex. Authorities ordered its dismantling, citing risk to pedestrians and traffic and the surrounding community's safety remains a top priority.

The statue, once a symbol of Messi's impact abroad, now sits in PWD custody without a declared re‑erection site. Officials assure that the structure will be secured and transported safely. Fans in Kolkata lost a landmark, but the episode underscores the need for rigorous safety checks on large public displays before future projects resume.

Mumbai's football fans will miss the towering tribute, but the incident serves as a cautionary tale for city planners. Ensuring structural integrity is paramount when erecting large monuments, especially in windy zones. Until a new location is chosen, the statue remains dismantled, a reminder that icons can falter and that safety must never be compromised.