Messi to unveil giant statue during India ‘GOAT’ tour

Messi to unveil giant statue during India 'GOAT' tour

Lionel Messi will unveil a 21-metre (70-foot) statue of himself in India on Saturday as he begins a three-day tour of the country.

The iron sculpture in Kolkata, depicting Messi lifting the World Cup trophy, is part of the GOAT Tour that will take him to four Indian cities, with a possible meeting scheduled with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A “Hola Messi” fan zone has been created in Kolkata, featuring a life-sized replica of Messi seated on a throne. The exhibition hall also recreates his Miami home, complete with mannequins of his family members.

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During his visit to Kolkata, Messi will also meet Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly.

Ahead of his arrival, Messi said it was an honour to return to India and engage with fans. “India is a very special country, and I have good memories from my time there 14 years ago, and the fans were fantastic,” Messi said.

“India is a passionate football nation, and I look forward to meeting a new generation of fans while sharing the love I have for this beautiful game.”

After Kolkata, where he will also play a short friendly match, Messi will travel to Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. In Hyderabad, he will attend a concert held in his honour and play another friendly. He is also reportedly scheduled to meet Modi in the capital.

Messi arrives in India fresh from winning his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award, after powering Inter Miami to the MLS title and finishing as the league’s top scorer.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward is expected to lead Argentina’s World Cup title defence next June and July in North America.

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.

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