A remarkable tribute to Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi has been unveiled in the attacker’s home country on Friday.
Messi’s mural
Messi, long something of a polarising figure in Argentina, of course finally endeared himself once and for all to the Albiceleste faithful this past summer.
The 34-year-old guided his nation into the latest edition of the Copa America, aware that the tournament represented one of few final opportunities to secure the long overdue piece of international silverware which had remained absent from his trophy cabinet to this point in a legendary career.
And, when all was said and done, to say that Messi got the job done would be something of an understatement.
A masterful month of performances on the part of their talisman ultimately culminated in Argentina getting the better of arch rivals Brazil in the Copa finale, to bring to an end a hefty 28-year wait for silverware.
Messi, meanwhile, was deservedly named Player of the Tournament, to etch his name indellibly into the history books of Argentine football.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (L) and Argentina’s Rodrigo De Paul (R) hold the Copa America trophy while posing for a picture at the end of their South American qualification football match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against Bolivia at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on September 9, 2021. (Photo by Juan Ignacio RONCORONI / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JUAN IGNACIO RONCORONI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
And, as outlined above, on Friday, such efforts have seen the veteran PSG man honoured in breathtaking fashion.
As showcased in the footage below, a 200ft tall mural of Messi donning the colours of his country has been unveiled, in his hometown of Rosario:
A 200 ft tall Lionel Messi mural has been unveiled in his hometown in Argentina ??? pic.twitter.com/KifCww60WE
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 17, 2021
Latest award
The unveiling of his hometown mural, though, marks only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to a fine day all round for the 7-time Ballon d’Or winner.
This comes with Messi, earlier on Friday, having clinched his latest individual award.
As confirmed by UEFA, the Argentine has bagged the prize for Champions League Goal of the Group stage, owing to his stunning effort versus Manchester City back in September:
MESSI AND MBAPPE COMBINE FOR A BEAUTIFUL GOAL!
It was a matter of time before they clicked, and it was worth the wait ?#UCL pic.twitter.com/5scpcQw1ty
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 28, 2021
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