Last Updated on January 18, 2026 by Yatrapur
Kolkata, often referred to as India's football capital, has honored world-renowned footballer Lionel Messi with a colossal 70-foot-tall structure. The organizers (Sree Bhumi Sporting Club and West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose) believe this is the world's largest statue of Messi and hope it will be certified by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this magnificent tribute was created by the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club, a sports club in Lake Town, South Dum Dum, and has become a major attraction for Messi fans.
Statue Specifications and Construction
- Height: 70 feet (comprising a 50-foot sculpture and 20-foot base).
- Feature: The statue depicts Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, commemorating Argentina's 2022 victory.
- Material: The internal structure is made of strong iron, with an outer layer of fiberglass applied using "special fibre technology."
- Location: Shree Bhumi Sporting Club, Lake Town, South Dum Dum, Kolkata (Map location).
- Artist: The statue was made ready by Monty Paul.
- Completion time: The project was completed in just 40 days (approximately 1.5 month).
The Unveiling Event
The official Inauguration Date was December 13, 2025.
Lionel Messi arrived in Kolkata on that day for his 'G.O.A.T India Tour 2025' and virtually unveiled the statue from Salt Lake Stadium, accompanied by West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose and Actor Shahrukh Khan. Due to security and law and order concerns, Messi was unable to be physically present at the statue's location. The statue's presence clearly demonstrates the city's deep connection to global football icons and the sport itself.
Kolkata: The Mecca of Indian Football
The city is widely known as the "Mecca of Indian football."
Football started quite early in Calcutta (Kolkata), with the first recorded matches dating back to the late 19th century. This city hosted the IFA Shield, one of the world's oldest football tournaments (began in 1893). The Calcutta Football League is one of the oldest football leagues in the world, having been founded in 1898.
The rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal is one of the most intense and passionately followed football derbies in the world, often compared to some of the greatest rivalries globally. It is known as "Boro Match" (the big match) in Bengali.
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