New Delhi, Dec 12 (EFE).-
Kolkata will inaugurate on Saturday what local authorities describe as the tallest statue in the world dedicated to Lionel Messi, an iron structure of 70 feet (more than 20 meters), coinciding with the arrival of the Argentine soccer star to India.
The work, located in the neighborhood of Lake Town, shows Messi lifting the World Cup and, as reported by the creators, was carried out in approximately 40 days, with the finishing touches still underway.
The statue’s inauguration will mark the beginning of the Argentine player’s visit to India, as part of the ‘GOAT Tour’, as a part of which Messi will travel for three days to some of the main cities of the country – first Kolkata, followed by Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.
West Bengal state’s Minister Sujit Bose, who also heads the club building the statue, said there is no other such monument dedicated to the player of comparable dimensions.
Bose recalled that his club has made previous tributes to soccer figures who visited Kolkata, such as Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho and Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
“This is a very big statue, 70 foot in height. There is no other statue of Messi this big in the world,” Bose told the media, adding that it was constructed in 40 days.
The organizers explained that the inauguration will be carried out virtually, since Messi will not be able to travel to the place for reasons of security and public order, although his arrival in the city is planned as part of his visit to the country.
The local club that has organized its construction, the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club, said that the tribute seeks to recognize the large number of followers that the player has in West Bengal, a region with a deep-rooted football tradition.
During the tour, Messi will inaugurate the statue and a mural dedicated to him in Kolkata, play an exhibition match in Hyderabad, attend a charity event in Mumbai and hold meetings with authorities and young players in different cities. EFE
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