Lionel Messi will unveil a 21-metre (70-foot) statue of himself in Kolkata, India, on Saturday as part of his three-day GOAT Tour across four Indian cities, sparking excitement among fans nationwide. The iron monument depicts Messi holding aloft the World Cup and will be unveiled virtually for security reasons.
A “Hola Messi” fan zone in Kolkata features a life-sized replica of Messi on a throne and a recreation of his Miami home. Sculptor Monty Paul said the statue was built in just 40 days and is the tallest he has ever made.
During the trip, Messi will meet Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, former cricket captain Saurav Ganguly, and potentially Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will also play friendly matches in Kolkata and Hyderabad, where a concert in his honour is planned.
Messi, who recently won his second consecutive MLS MVP award with Inter Miami, expressed excitement about returning to India and engaging with fans. He will lead Argentina in defending their World Cup title in North America next year.