Kolkata: In a historic moment for Indian football fans, Argentine icon Lionel Messi virtually unveiled a massive 70-foot statue of himself in Kolkata’s Lake Town on Saturday. The ceremony was conducted alongside West Bengal Minister and Sree Bhumi Sporting Club President, Sujit Bose.

A Hero’s Welcome

The legendary forward landed in the "City of Joy" early Saturday morning, greeted by a massive wave of supporters. Crowds gathered at various landmarks across the city to catch a glimpse of the superstar, highlighting the profound impact Messi has on the region’s sports culture.

As a tribute to his legacy, the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club commissioned the 70-foot iron monument in South Dum Dum. The structure portrays Messi hoisting the FIFA World Cup trophy, a nod to Argentina’s 2022 victory in Qatar.

Record-Breaking Monument

Sujit Bose, who leads the sporting club, noted that the towering installation was finished in just 40 days. Speaking on the scale of the project, Bose told ANI:

"This is a very big statue, 70 feet in height. There is no other statue of Messi this big in the world. Messi is coming to Kolkata, and there are a lot of fans of Messi."

Ending a 14-Year Wait

This visit marks Messi’s return to India for the first time since 2011, when he led Argentina to a 1-0 win over Venezuela in a friendly at Salt Lake Stadium. His arrival after 14 years has sparked a festive atmosphere, with local fans organising grand celebrations to honour the athlete.

Satadru Dutta, the promoter behind the "GOAT India Tour," emphasised that the visit has revitalised interest in the sport nationwide.

"There's a great atmosphere of joy that Messi is coming to India after 14 years... It's also good for the fans, an opportunity to see Messi. Football's connection to India is growing again. Never before have so many sponsors come to Indian football," Dutta told reporters.