Lionel Messi will virtually unveil a towering 21-meter (70-foot) statue of himself in Kolkata, India, on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The unveiling coincides with Messi's three-day "GOAT Tour" across four Indian cities, though security concerns have prompted the Inter Miami star to participate in the event remotely.
The iron sculpture, depicting Messi holding the World Cup, was crafted in just 40 days by sculptor Monti Paul. Paul expressed immense pride in creating the statue, noting it as his tallest work to date. The statue is being touted as the world's largest statue of the Argentinian superstar.
Messi's tour includes a possible meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, meetings with Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, and former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly. He is also scheduled to play a short friendly match in Kolkata and attend a concert in Hyderabad.
In anticipation of Messi's visit, a "Hola Messi" fan zone has been set up in Kolkata, featuring a life-sized replica of Messi seated on a throne and a recreation of his Miami home, complete with mannequins of his family members.
Messi expressed his excitement about the tour, stating, "India is a very special country and I have good memories from my time there 14 years ago -- the fans were fantastic,". He further added, "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,".
The unveiling and tour have generated considerable excitement among Indian football fans, who view Messi's visit as both a sporting and cultural milestone. Samir Nandy, a 64-year-old fan, expressed that seeing Messi would be a "dream come true" and hailed the statue as a "fitting tribute" to the player's resilience.
Following Kolkata, Messi is scheduled to visit Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. In Hyderabad, he will attend a concert held in his honor and participate in another friendly match. A meeting with Prime Minister Modi is also being discussed in the capital.
This event occurs following Messi's recent recognition as the Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year, after leading Inter Miami to the MLS title. He is also preparing to lead Argentina in the upcoming World Cup defense.
