A towering statue of Lionel Messi in Kolkata had sparked online backlash.

A 70 foot iron statue of football icon Lionel Messi has been installed at the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, Kolkata, showing the Argentine great holding the FIFA World Cup trophy. While the statue has drawn crowds and curiosity, it has also triggered sharp criticism on social media, with many users questioning the priorities behind such a massive tribute in a country still striving to make its mark in global football.

Several users argued that the money spent on the statue could have been invested in grassroots development or nurturing Indian players. One comment read, “A nation with over 1 billion people that can’t even find or develop 11 players to compete and qualify for a world cup. I guess building

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