Kolkata, India : Argentine football legend set to inaugurate towering tribute in Kolkata as part of three-day tour across India . Lionel Messi, widely celebrated as one of the greatest footballers of all time, is preparing to unveil a 70-foot statue of himself in Kolkata on Saturday, December 13, as part of his highly anticipated GOAT India Tour 2025.
The monumental statue — believed to be the largest of Messi ever created — has been constructed in Lake Town, Kolkata, by a team of sculptors and artisans. It depicts the Argentine superstar lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy, symbolizing his monumental achievements in world football.
While the statue was initially meant to be unveiled in a public ceremony, heightened security concerns have led organisers to plan a virtual inauguration, to be broadcast from Messi’s hotel in the city early on the morning of December 13.
The unveiling marks the beginning of Messi’s three-day GOAT Tour, which will also take him to Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, where fans can attend concerts, meet-and-greet events, football masterclasses, and other celebrations of his illustrious career.
Messi’s visit is his first major trip to India since 2011, when he last played in the country. The GOAT Tour has sparked widespread excitement, with fan zones, exhibitions, and special tributes set up in each host city leading up to his arrival.
In Kolkata, organisers have also created an elaborate fan experience that includes a life-sized recreation of Messi’s Miami home and displays honoring his career trophies, adding to the carnival-like atmosphere ahead of the statue inauguration.
The tour wraps up on December 15 in New Delhi, where Messi is expected to meet India’s Prime Minister and take part in more high-profile events celebrating his global impact on football.
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