As he approaches his 39th birthday, Lionel Messi has added yet another record to his illustrious career with the unveiling of a monumental 26-meter statue in Neuquén, a city of 300,000 residents in western Argentina.
The statue, a creation of artist Aldo Beroisa, weighs approximately 70 tons and depicts Messi in a kneeling position, wearing the iconic blue and white jersey of Argentina and celebrating a goal with his right arm raised. It has been strategically placed near National Route 22, one of Argentina’s busiest highways, ensuring that many fans will get the chance to stop and admire it.
A New Milestone for Messi
Messi continues to make history on the global football stage. During his 200th match for the Argentine national team, he became the first player ever to participate in six editions of the World Cup, having played 27 matches in total.
At 38 years and 357 days, he also set a record as the oldest player to score a hat-trick in World Cup history, surpassing Ronaldo’s previous record from the 2018 tournament.
In addition to his impressive statistics, Messi now holds the distinction of having a gigantic 26-meter replica of himself, which outstrips the previous record held by a statue in India that measured 21 meters.
Recently, the Indian statue was dismantled due to stability concerns in high winds, while Messi’s statue stands tall as a symbol of his achievement. This remarkable homage is located in Cutral Co, a small Argentine town in Neuquén with a population of just 40,000.
Videos showcasing the statue have gone viral on social media, and local leaders are optimistic that it will boost tourism in the area.
