Lionel Messi Honoured With 85-Foot Statue In Argentina After India Sculpture Row
Lionel Messi has received another massive tribute, this time in Argentina, where an 85-foot statue of the football legend has been unveiled in Cutral Co, a town in Patagonia.
The statue, standing around 26 metres tall, is now being described as one of the biggest monuments ever created in Messi’s honour. Made with nearly 70 tons of steel, the sculpture celebrates Messi’s iconic 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph with Argentina.
Statue Unveiled In Patagonia
The giant Messi statue was inaugurated in Cutral Co, an oil-producing town in Patagonia. The monument has already started attracting visitors to the region, giving the town new attention during the ongoing World Cup season.
The sculpture was created by local artist Aldo Beroisa, who has previously worked on large monuments and dinosaur sculptures. According to the report, the statue took around 18 months to complete.
Inspired By Messi’s World Cup Moment
The statue shows Messi on his knees after Argentina’s 2022 World Cup final victory over France in Qatar. The design reflects the emotional moment after Gonzalo Montiel scored the decisive penalty in the shootout.
Messi is also shown holding Argentina’s jersey and pointing to the sky, a gesture he often makes in memory of his late grandmother.
Taller Than India’s Messi Statue
The Argentina statue comes shortly after a 70-foot Messi statue in Kolkata, India, drew attention during Messi’s promotional visit with Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul.
That statue was reportedly removed after local authorities raised safety concerns, saying it was swaying in the wind. Officials were said to be considering another location for reassembling it.
With the new 85-foot statue in Patagonia, Argentina now has a taller tribute to Messi closer to his home country.
Fans Continue To Celebrate Messi
Messi’s popularity remains strong across Argentina and around the world. Apart from the new statue, a mural dedicated to him was also painted near Buenos Aires, featuring the names of more than 1,300 fans.
The tributes show how Messi continues to connect with supporters beyond football, especially after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022.
