FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina unveils 26-metre-tall Lionel Messi statue
Argentina's love for Lionel Messi has reached new heights during the FIFA World Cup 2026, with a giant 26-metre statue of the football icon unveiled in Patagonia and a fan-made mural attracting attention across the country.The massive statue stands on the outskirts of Cutral Co, a town in southern A
By Toi Sports Desk
Argentina's love for Lionel Messi has reached new heights during the FIFA World Cup 2026, with a giant 26-metre statue of the football icon unveiled in Patagonia and a fan-made mural attracting attention across the country.The massive statue stands on the outskirts of Cutral Co, a town in southern Argentina.
Made from 70 tonnes of steel and iron, it shows Messi kneeling with the World Cup trophy between his legs and one arm raised in celebration.The monument was inaugurated on June 16, the day Argentina began their World Cup campaign.
According to local authorities and the artist behind the project, it is the largest monument ever dedicated to the Argentine captain, who turns 39 on Wednesday.The statue was created by sculptor Aldo Beroisa and took 18 months to complete."He is Argentina's natural ambassador.
For me, it was very important, not only as an artist but as an Argentine," Beroisa told The Associated Press.The artwork recreates one of the most memorable moments of Messi's career — his emotional celebration after Argentina won the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.
It also features the captain holding Argentina's jersey and pointing towards the sky, a gesture he often makes in memory of his late grandmother.The tribute has already started drawing visitors to Cutral Co, a town better known for oil production than tourism.Along with the giant statue, Messi is also being celebrated through a unique mural in Berazategui, a suburb of Buenos Aires.Unlike most murals, this one includes the names of more than 1,300 fans who helped create it.
The artwork features a smiling Messi and has become a popular attraction for supporters.The mural even caught the attention of the Argentine superstar himself."Crazy ... thank you very much to all of you, to the people who supported it, who came by, and who keep coming by," Messi said in a video message sent to the creators.Artist Leonel García, who led the project, said the mural was a community effort."This is a mural that I didn't make by myself.
Beyond the fact that I painted it, it was made by more than 1,300 people," García said.The mural took 18 days to complete and was painted with the help of fans who travelled from different parts of the country to add their names.For García, the project is about more than football."Messi brings joy to the country.
The times we're living through in Argentina may not be very good for some people, but Messi unites everyone ... and the mural does that too, because people from everywhere come together here, from every social class and every political sector," he said.As Argentina continue their World Cup campaign, the giant statue and fan-created mural serve as reminders of Messi's lasting impact on the country.
Even at 39, the captain remains a symbol of unity, pride and inspiration for millions of Argentines.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates.
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