Argentina has put up a massive 85-foot statue of Lionel Messi in Patagonia’s city Cutral Co., to thank the man who helped the country win its first World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
The statue was built by sculptor Aldo Beroisa, who used around 70 tons of steel and iron. It captures one of the most iconic moments of that tournament, Messi on his knees in celebration after Argentina beat France in the final. We can see the statue with its one arm raised in the air, with the World Cup trophy right beside it.
The statue was unveiled to the public on June 16, 2026, right after Argentina started playing in the 2026 World Cup. Now the statue is attracting football fans from all over who want to see the statue in person and take a picture with the statue. Locals think the football statue will bring in tourists and help the city's economy during and after the 2026 World Cup tournament.
Most people praised it as a well-deserved tribute to one of the greatest footballers to ever play the game. But of course, the internet had other plans.
A lot of people thought of Cristiano Ronaldo's airport statue from 2017 when they saw this. That statue was famous all over the internet because it did not look like him at all. Suddenly, everyone was asking the same question: Who got the worst statue, Messi or Ronaldo?
People made jokes that the World Cup trophy is more recognizable than Messi's face. Some people said the statue looks like a fan who is wearing Messi's jersey. The big rivalry in football has now moved from the football field to the world of making sculptures. 
On the other hand, lots of people still like the statue. They think it is good because it is not supposed to look perfect. The statue is meant to remember a moment in history, and it is doing that. And in that sense, it does exactly what it sets out to do. Whether admired for its impressive size or discussed for its appearance, the statue has already become one of the most famous football landmarks of the year.
Whatever side you are on, one thing is clear: This statue is one of the talked-about football monuments of the year. For Argentina, it means a lot more than a meme. It reminds them of their captain, who ended 36 years of heartbreak and made history in football forever.