According to local authorities, the statue was officially unveiled in the city of Cutral Co. It is situated along National Highway 22 and Manuel Savio Road at kilometer 1332, serving as a landmark on one of the region’s most vital transportation arteries, Ole reported.
The design was conceptualized and created by local artist Aldo Beroisa, depicting Messi in his iconic Argentina national team jersey with the World Cup trophy won in Qatar in 2022.
The giant statue of Lionel Messi in Cutral Co, Neuquén, Argentina. Photo courtesy of Cutral Co City Council |
Built on a steel frame and heavily covered in concrete, the statue weighs an estimated 70 tons. This scale makes it the largest statue ever built in honor of the Argentine superstar.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, city officials emphasized that the monument serves as both a heartfelt tribute to Messi and a lasting symbol of national pride following Argentina’s World Cup victory.
According to an official press release from Cutral Co., the inauguration event drew a massive crowd of locals, tourists and football fans. The gathering was permeated by an atmosphere of excitement, with attendees proudly waving Argentinian flags and wearing national team jerseys.
A primary goal of the monument is to boost tourism in Neuquén Province by drawing in fans of Messi and Argentine football from around the globe.
Local authorities noted that the structure acts as a powerful cultural symbol while simultaneously enhancing the tourism appeal of Cutral Co, a city already recognized within the province as the “monument capital.”
Previously, the record for the world’s tallest Messi statue was held by a 21-m structure in Kolkata, India. However, Kolkata authorities were eventually forced to dismantle that statue due to public safety concerns after residents observed it swaying in the wind, according to Al Jazeera.
The unveiling of the new statue coincides with Messi’s ongoing participation with the Argentina national team at the 2026 World Cup. The 39-year-old superstar has already made an impact in the tournament’s group stage.
He scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 opening victory against Algeria, subsequently following it up with a brace in a 2-0 win over Austria. These performances helped him become the greatest goalscorer in World Cup history, with 18 goals.
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