India to honour Messi with a statue | OneFootball

In Kolkata, the devotion for Lionel Messi took shape, volume, and extravagance: 21 meters tall, made of iron and fiberglass, with 45 people working tirelessly to bring to life the largest statue ever dedicated to the Rosario native. A monumental tribute that even Argentina didn't imagine and that India is about to unveil.

On Saturday, when the GOAT Tour begins, it will be Messi himself who unveils the work. He will be accompanied by Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez, on a tour that will visit Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, amidst the frenzy that erupted after Inter Miami's title in the MLS.

The sculpture, directed by artist Monti Paul, immortalizes an eternal image: Messi lifting the World Cup with his right hand. A giant-scale image that will serve as a beacon on a street where the statue of Diego Maradona already stands. That one, just three meters tall, was once criticized for its lack of resemblance. This one, however, aims for impact: it wants to be unforgettable.

The tribute doesn't end there. In the fan zone "Hola Messi," fans can take photos with a life-size replica of number 10 sitting on a throne, as well as a mural that completes the football ritual.

The visit will also include the GOAT Cup in Hyderabad, a 7 vs. 7 celebrity match, a concert, and an interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Additionally, Messi will be part of a recognition for the youth team of the Minerva Academy, a recent pride of the country after winning European tournaments like the Gothia Cup, Dana Cup, and Norway Cup.

This will be Messi's second appearance in India, the first was in 2011 with the National Team, but this time something different awaits him: a country that decided to immortalize him in colossal size, almost as if needing to raise a mountain to match his stature.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.