Kolkata is buzzing with excitement as fans gear up for a visit from none other than Lionel Messi.
The city has gone all out, erecting a towering 70-foot iron statue of the football legend.
That makes it the largest statue of any footballer in the world, standing a staggering 13 times taller than Messi himself.
The statue is set to be unveiled on Saturday during Messi’s three-day tour of India, which promises to be packed with events and appearances across the country.
A Monumental Task for Sculptors
Creating the colossal statue was no small feat.
Sculptor Monti Paul revealed that transporting the giant figure through the narrow streets of Lake Town, South Dum Dum, required cranes and specially fitted trolley trucks.
Crafting Messi’s face alone took him 15 days.
Despite the effort, some fans have already voiced doubts about the likeness.
Social media reactions range from confusion to outright disbelief, with one fan jokingly asking, “Who the f*** is that?” and another suggesting it looked more like Cristiano Ronaldo than Messi.
The Statue and Its Surroundings
The statue now stands proudly near the Kolkata Time Zone Tower, a one-third scale replica of London’s Big Ben.
Fans will have plenty to explore: a ‘Hola Messi’ fan zone includes an eight-foot statue of Messi seated on a throne and a recreated version of his Miami home complete with mannequins of Messi and his family.
The city is embracing Messi fever completely, with shops selling Argentina jerseys featuring his name and number, reflecting a nationwide excitement that local newspaper Aajkaal described as “the whole of India shaking with Messi fever.”
Star-Studded Appearances on the Tour
Messi won’t be coming alone. He’ll be accompanied by fellow Argentine stars Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul during the Kolkata unveiling.
Fans with deep pockets will even have the chance to meet Messi in person, with handshake and group photo opportunities reportedly costing the equivalent of £6,122.
The tour isn’t limited to Kolkata. Messi is also scheduled to visit Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi, with events including a fashion show and a formal meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Surprises and Local Flavours Await
Organisers have lined up special experiences for the football icon.
Reports suggest Messi will be gifted traditional Bengali clothing and served a unique Bengali dish featuring hilsa fish, shrimp, potato, and postor.
If the reports from Bartaman Patrika are true, he might want to avoid reading that paper before the surprise.
For Messi fans in Kolkata, this three-day extravaganza promises to be unforgettable, whether it’s marveling at the massive statue, snapping selfies in fan zones, or catching a glimpse of the football legend in person.
What Comes Next for Messi in India
Saturday’s statue unveiling is just the beginning of Messi’s whirlwind tour.
With appearances, fan interactions, and high-profile events lined up across multiple cities, India is ready to celebrate one of football’s greatest ever players in spectacular style.
And despite mixed reactions to the statue itself, there’s no denying that Messi fever has firmly taken hold.
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