The debate over football’s ultimate legend has echoed for decades, but India has given its verdict and is rolling out the red carpet.

Fresh off guiding Inter Miami to an MLS Cup triumph, Lionel Messi is touching down in India for a three-day GOAT Tour, joined by teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul. On Saturday (December 13), he’ll reveal a towering 70-foot statue of himself in Kolkata, crafted over 27 days by a team of 45 artists.

The whirlwind tour starts in Kolkata at 10:30 am local time, before moving on to Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi. The statue is just one of many tributes planned for the Argentine star, who spent his career lighting up Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and now Miami.

Fans will also be able to explore the Hola Messi zone, complete with a life-sized replica of the man himself perched on a throne, a hall filled with some of his most treasured silverware and even a recreation of his Miami home, mannequins and balcony scene included.

This isn’t the first time Messi has been immortalised in metal.

A bronze statue went up in Buenos Aires in 2016, and Barcelona president Joan Laporta has hinted that one may soon stand at Camp Nou as well.

Cristiano Ronaldo, never one to be left out of the spotlight, unveiled his own statue in Madeira back in 2014.