World Cup Desk – In a grand tribute to football legend Lionel Messi, the world’s largest statue of the Argentine captain has been unveiled in the Neuquén province of Argentina.
Built in the city of Cutral Có, the massive monument honors his extraordinary on-field performances, numerous titles, and unparalleled contributions to global football.
Prior to this, a 21-meter-high statue in India was recognized as the tallest sculpture of Messi.
However, Argentina’s new monument has shattered that record, standing at a staggering height of 26 meters and weighing 70 tons. It is now officially recognized as the tallest statue ever built of the Argentine forward.
According to Argentine media sources, the monumental statue was officially unveiled just ahead of Argentina’s opening match against Algeria in the World Cup.
Local residents expressed that the structure is not just a tribute to his sporting achievements but will stand as a timeless symbol of his monumental legacy in Argentine football history.
Constructed at the intersection of National Route 22 and Manuel Savio Road, the statue features a robust steel internal frame covered by three layers of concrete.
The sculpture depicts Messi proudly wearing the iconic Argentina national team jersey, facing the coveted FIFA World Cup trophy, with three golden stars beautifully adorned across his chest.
Renowned sculptor Aldo Beroisa designed and built the statue, working continuously for a year alongside local laborers and residents of Cutral Có. According to Beroisa, the team worked through the night right up until the day of the grand inauguration.
Interestingly, Beroisa revealed that the statue was not originally planned to be this gigantic. He was initially commissioned to build a life-sized statue matching Messi’s actual height of 1.72 meters (about 5 feet 8 inches).
However, he rejected the original proposal and instead pitched the ambitious 26-meter design.
Previously, a 21-meter-high statue of Lionel Messi was erected near Lake Town in Kolkata to mark his visit to India.
However, that structure was later removed by authorities following concerns regarding its structural stability against heavy winds.