Did “world football community” criticize India over 70-ft Messi statue built ahead of his arrival? Fact Check
Claim: The ‘World Football’ community criticizes India over the 70ft Messi statue erected ahead of his visit on 13th December, 2025.
Conclusion : The claim is false. No major international football organizations, prominent figures, or global media outlets have levelled such criticism.
Rating : False — 
Several social media users have been spreading claims about the “world football” community criticizing India over the 70ft Messi Statue in Kolkata, India. Verified X user ‘IS_Netwrk29’ shared such a claim writing that “Even the world football community is criticizing it, and now India is getting trolled for wasting money on this. Instead of spending so much on a giant statue, imagine investing that into grassroots football… that’s where the real impact lies.” The post gained around 448,000 views and can be seen below:
🚨𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 70𝐅𝐓 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐄🚨
Honestly, there was no need to build a 70-ft Messi statue. Even the world football community is criticizing it, and now India is getting trolled for wasting money on this.… pic.twitter.com/9UguB9QBjc
— lndian Sports Netwrk (@IS_Netwrk29) December 12, 2025
Other users have also shared similar claims which can be seen here and here.
FACT CHECK
DigitEYE India decided to investigate this claim and found that it is false. The claim about the “world football” community is vague and there are no reports about it. Major media houses and sports organizations have praised the gesture and Messi’s popularity in India.
Unveiled virtually by Messi on December 13, 2025, at Lake Town in Kolkata’s South Dum Dum area, the 70-foot (21-meter) iron structure depicts him holding the FIFA World Cup trophy. According to a report by The Times of India, the statue is built by Sreebhumi Sporting Club in 40 days with private funding and is a part of Messi’s “GOAT India Tour 2025” to promote football.
#WATCH | West Bengal: A 70-ft tall statue of football legend, Lionel Messi has been built by Sree Bhumi Sporting Club at Lake Town in South Dum Dum, Kolkata. The Argentine footballer is set to arrive in Kolkata on December 13, during his G.O.A.T India Tour, to inaugurate the… pic.twitter.com/qcydyYtHbU
— ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2025
Following this, we searched for specific condemnation by a global “world football” community but did not find any.
A news item published by Olympics.com makes a mention about Messi’s ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’ and his 3-day schedule, in which Kolkata will be his first stop. It said Messi will attend a meet-and-greet session and virtually unveil his own 70-foot Lionel Messi statue being installed at the Sreebhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town in Kolkata. See part of the report below:
Another report published by BBC mentions the statement of a Messi fan who says “”He would be shocked to see how he is worshipped in Kolkata and across India. I am tearing up (in tears) but these are happy tears.” View a section of the report below:
(Report courtesy: BBC.com)
Another report published by Fox Sports mentions about the statue which shows Messi holding the world cup. The report further stated that ‘A “Hola Messi” fan zone has also been set up in Kolkata where on display is a life-sized replica of Messi sat on a throne.’ View a section of the report below:
ANI took to X and posted a video of the statue on December 10, 2025 with interviews from people who expressed joy and appreciation.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: A football fan says, “Messi is coming here, and we will be able to see him. This is great for us. We are delighted about the statue that has been made here. I have no words to express about him (Lionel Messi). The entire world knows Messi. It feels… pic.twitter.com/gLbaBPu98z
— ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2025
A report by the Times of India states that many “who secured tickets for Saturday’s event describe the wait as “pure happiness”, with some comparing the passes to treasured lottery winnings.”
Apart from the praise, we could not trace any coverage of any global criticism by the football community.
Thus, the claim is false with no adequate source and vague details.
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