Giant Messi statue honors Argentina's World Cup hero

No Comment Video. Giant Messi statue honors Argentina's World Cup hero Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 23/06/2026 - 21:49 GMT+2 A giant mural near Buenos Aires and a towering statue in Patagonia highlight Lionel Messi's enduring status as a symbol of unity and pride for Argentines during the World Cup. As Argentina continues its World Cup campaign, tributes to Lionel Messi are drawing attention across the country. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Near Buenos Aires, artist Leonel García has completed a hyperrealistic mural of the Argentina captain surrounded by the names of more than 1,300 supporters. Fans from different backgrounds have travelled to the site, turning it into a gathering place during the tournament. "Messi is the one thing that unites Argentina," García said, describing how people of all ages and political views come together around the mural. Further south in Patagonia, a 26-metre-high statue depicts Messi celebrating Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph. Built from steel, iron and concrete, the monument took around 18 months to complete and has become a landmark in the region. Supporters say Messi's talent, humility and leadership have made him a role model for generations. Together, the mural and statue reflect how the football star has become far more than an athlete for many Argentines. Lionel Messi World Cup 2026 statue Top stories Now playing Next Giant Messi statue honors Argentina's World Cup hero Now playing Next Belgian royals roll out red carpet for Japan's emperor Now playing Next Watch: French jets salute US anniversary with Washington flyover Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | June 23rd, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | June 23rd, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next Brussels residents cool off in fountains as heatwave grips Belgium Now playing Next Here are all the World Cup matches you may have missed on Monday Now playing Next 10 years of Brexit: Which campaign claims have come true? Now playing Next EU sets stage for decoupling Moldova's accession bid from Ukraine's Now playing Next EU 're-assessing' summit with UK after Starmer's exit Now playing Next Europe Today: Starmer's resignation, Brexit and the Poland-Ukraine row Now playing Next China announces sanctions on 10 US companies Now playing Next Iceland kills first whales since 2023, resuming whaling Now playing Next EU officials discreetly meet Taliban in Brussels to speed up Afghan deportations Now playing Next LEGO's Julia Goldin named first-ever European CMO of the Year at Cannes Lions Now playing Next At least 20 drownings reported as 54 French departments remain on red alert ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment World's largest kite festival fills Danish skies with 25,000 kites No Comment Canal Saint-Martin becomes cooling spot as heatwave grips Paris No Comment Norway fans take over Times Square with Viking row No Comment Meet Osito, the rescue dog winning hearts at the World Cup Europe News Poland-Ukraine row is 'not helpful' and plays into Putin's hands, Brussels warns Business European Parliament backs long-awaited digital euro to reduce US dominance in payments Silk Road Adventures Flea markets and antique spaces keep history in circulation Europe News Former SNP chief Peter Murrell jailed for embezzling more than £400,000 of party funds Europe Today Kazakhstan seeks 'much more' in ties with EU as Tokayev visits Brussels Markets SpaceX sheds $600 billion in three days as it taps the bond market for the first time Climate Alpine glacier melts faster as second heatwave hits France Europe in Motion Brexit: What would Britons vote for in a new referendum? ADVERTISEMENT Europe Today Watch: Lies, damn lies, and statistics—the data about Brexit ten years on Europe Today Europe Today: Starmer's resignation, Brexit and the Poland-Ukraine row 12 minutes with Next PM needs 'plan' for EU ties, Brexit legal campaigner Gina Miller tells Euronews Europe News Corruption: Belgian judiciary issues arrest warrant for former EU Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos United Kingdom 'Another day, another leader': Londoners react to Starmer's resignation Europe News EU sets stage for decoupling Moldova's accession bid from Ukraine's Europe Today EU 're-assessing' summit with UK after Keir Starmer lays out exit plan Europe News Israel FM urges EU dialogue, rejects ‘dictated’ positions after Kallas row ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT