Messi Unveils 70ft Statue on GOAT Tour

Lionel Messi is set to be honoured with a grand reception in India, as the football superstar embarks on a three-day ‘GOAT Tour’.

The tour, beginning this Saturday in Kolkata, comes hot on the heels of Messi leading Inter Miami to a historic MLS Cup victory. He will be accompanied by teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul.

A colossal 70ft statue of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, constructed over 27 days by a 45-member team, will be unveiled in Kolkata at 10:30 am local time (05:00 GMT). The statue is a central part of India’s tribute to the Argentine legend.

Fans will also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the ‘Hola Messi’ fan zone. This includes a life-sized replica of Messi seated on a throne, a display of his numerous trophies, and a recreation of his Miami home, complete with mannequins representing Messi and his family.

“He would be surprised to see the arrangements made for him,” said Shiladitya Banerjee, a passionate Messi fan. “He would be shocked to see how he is worshipped in Kolkata and across India. I am tearing up but these are happy tears.”

The tour will then proceed to Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi, offering fans across the country a chance to celebrate the player widely considered one of the greatest to ever grace the football pitch. Messi has scored an impressive 787 goals in 963 club appearances throughout his career.

This isn’t the first time Messi has been honoured with a statue. He received a bronze statue in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2016. His former club, Barcelona, is also reportedly “working on” a statue for the Nou Camp, according to club president Joan Laporta.

Rival Cristiano Ronaldo also has a statue dedicated to him, unveiled at his personal museum in Funchal, Madeira, in 2014.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE