In Argentina, some already consider him a living god. Now, Lionel Messi has a statue worthy of his status. A monumental 26-meter-tall, 70-ton sculpture was unveiled on Sunday in Cutral Co, in his native region. The artwork depicts the Argentine legend kneeling with the World Cup trophy, one hand on his heart and his eyes turned toward the sky.
A 26-meter-high Lionel Messi statue is certainly a bold tribute to the Argentine genius, who is not exactly known for his towering height. Presented as the largest statue ever dedicated to Messi, the creation by artist Aldo Beroisa has not received universal praise. Quite the opposite. Within hours of its unveiling, social media erupted with reactions.
Social Media Ridicules the Monument
The reason? Its appearance. Many users believe the face of the sculpture looks more like Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni than Messi himself. Others have criticized its bright white color and what they describe as an awkward pose. The jokes and edited images quickly flooded social media platforms.
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Some have even compared the monument to the infamous Cristiano Ronaldo statue that went viral years ago for all the wrong reasons. “It’s seriously competing with Ronaldo’s statue,” joked several commenters in posts that quickly gained traction online.
¡EN NEUQUÉN SE INAUGURÓ LA ESTATUA DE MESSI MÁS ALTA DEL MUNDO! 🇦🇷👀
La escultura realizada por el artista Aldo Beroisa se encuentra en Cutral Co, ciudad de Neuquén, y está ubicada sobre la Ruta Nacional 22. Supera a la estatua de Leo en India, que tiene 21 metros.
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) June 20, 2026
Despite the controversy, Messi continues to build his legend. At 39, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains Argentina’s ultimate sporting icon and recently made headlines again at the 2026 World Cup with a hat-trick in his opening match. One thing is certain: even his statues manage to spark passionate debate.
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