xtraTime Web Desk: The brightest star in world football turned 39 on Wednesday. Even today, he continues to mesmerize fans on the grandest stages of the game, including the World Cup. Yet on his birthday, Kolkata's towering 70-foot tribute to Lionel Messi lies neglected in a government warehouse—covered with a black tarpaulin and resting on sandbags.

Messi visited Kolkata on December 13 last year. His trip generated enormous excitement, although controversy surrounding events at the Salt Lake Stadium (Yuva Bharati Krirangan) also made headlines. During the visit, the Argentine legend virtually inaugurated a 70-foot statue of himself from his hotel. From the very beginning, however, the statue sparked debate, with many questioning how closely it resembled Messi. Despite the criticism, the gigantic structure quickly became a major talking point across the city.

Less than a year later, the picture has changed dramatically.

The statue was reportedly seen swaying dangerously during strong winds, raising serious safety concerns. Installed under the initiative of then Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose, the structure no longer stands in Lake Town. Following political changes, it was removed overnight and relocated, marking an unexpected turn in the story of Kolkata's Messi monument.

An Extra Time correspondent tracked down the statue to a Public Works Department (PWD) warehouse in Baguiati. There, the 70-foot structure was found lying on sandbags, completely covered with a black tarpaulin. For many football lovers, the sight of such a tribute in this condition on Messi's birthday has been deeply disappointing.

According to sources, there are plans to reinstall the statue at a suitable location within Eco Park after the monsoon season. However, no official announcement has yet confirmed when—or even if—the plan will be implemented.

The situation has raised uncomfortable questions. Was there adequate long-term planning for the maintenance, safety, and dignity of a monument dedicated to one of the world's most celebrated footballers? And if the respect intended through such a grand gesture cannot be sustained, was the project justified in the first place?

On Messi's birthday, the current state of the statue paints a poignant picture—one that reflects Kolkata's football passion, political shifts, and apparent lack of long-term planning. For many, it stands as an uncomfortable symbol of how a city that prides itself on its love for football has failed to honor one of the game's greatest icons in the manner he deserves.