Messi Honoured with 85-Foot Monument in Argentina

Lionel Messi’s global stature has once again been reflected in an extraordinary public tribute, as an 85-foot-tall statue of the Argentine football icon was unveiled in the Patagonian town of Catriel on the occasion of his 39th birthday. The installation is now regarded as the largest monument ever created in his honour.

The unveiling comes at a time when Messi continues to redefine football history on the international stage. Just days before his birthday, the Argentina captain scored twice against Austria, a performance that took his World Cup tally to 18 goals. That milestone moved him past Germany’s Miroslav Klose, establishing him as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.

Against this backdrop, the towering structure was inaugurated in Catriel, an oil-rich town in southern Argentina. The statue rises 26 metres, roughly 85 feet, and is constructed from around 70 tonnes of steel. Its completion took 18 months, reflecting the scale and ambition behind the project.

The work was designed by local sculptor Aldo Beroisa, who chose to immortalise one of football’s most defining modern images: Messi kneeling in emotion on the pitch at Lusail Stadium after Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph over France. The sculpture also captures his familiar celebration — holding the national shirt in one hand while pointing skywards with the other. It is a gesture closely associated with his tribute to his late grandmother, a figure often credited as a major influence in his life.

While this new monument is among the most striking, it is not the first large-scale tribute to Messi around the world. In India, a 70-foot statue was recently erected in anticipation of his potential visit to Kolkata. However, local authorities later ordered its removal after safety concerns emerged when strong winds caused the structure to sway dangerously.

Messi’s influence extends far beyond statues and sculptures. In Buenos Aires’ outskirts, a vast mural has recently been completed featuring more than 1,300 fans who contributed their names to the artwork. Measuring around 20 feet in width and 18 feet in height, it took artist Lionel García 18 days to complete.

Responding to these gestures of admiration, Messi expressed his gratitude in a video message, saying the affection and recognition from supporters around the world hold deep personal meaning and continue to motivate him.

From record-breaking performances on the pitch to monumental tributes off it, Messi’s legacy continues to grow in scale — both in football history and in the global imagination.