Lionel Messi gets new 85-foot statue, even taller than torn down India sculpture

Lionel Messi continues to receive grand tributes celebrating his extraordinary career, and fans are finding even larger ways to honor him.

The Argentine legend turns 39 years old on Wednesday, just days after he set a new World Cup record, surpassing Miroslav Klose with his 17th and 18th goals during a 2-0 victory over Austria.

In the remote town of Cutral Col, Patagonia, he was recently honored with a stunning 85-foot (26-meter) statue. Constructed using 70 tons of steel, the statue, though perhaps not the most accurate likeness, is certainly impressive in scale.

The 70-foot Messi Statue in India

Messi wrapped up a promotional tour of India in December, where he was accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul. A highlight of this “GOAT Tour” was a towering 70-foot (21.3 meters) statue unveiled in Kolkata, West Bengal.

Though it was touted as the largest statue of a footballer ever built, local authorities demanded its removal recently due to safety concerns, citing that it swayed dangerously in the wind.

West Bengal legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee reported that the statue was considered unsafe. Authorities have since been exploring alternative locations for its potential re-installation. Meanwhile, a larger statue has emerged in Messi’s honor back in his homeland.

The famous statue of Lionel Messi in India has been removed 😳

The statue will be temporarily taken down and re-located, as the current location was not stable enough 😅 pic.twitter.com/7qfDD9DfBM

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 1, 2026

The Tallest Messi Statue Yet in Patagonia

Cutral Co, known primarily for its oil production, has recently experienced a surge in visitors since the statue’s inauguration on June 16, coinciding with Argentina’s World Cup opener. Created by 61-year-old local sculptor Aldo Beroisa, the statue has drawn particular excitement.

Beroisa, who has previously designed giant dinosaurs and monuments to Argentina’s independence heroes, stated that the statue has generated a unique buzz. “He is Argentina’s natural ambassador. For me, it was very important, not only as an artist but as an Argentine,” he remarked.

The statue took 18 months to complete and depicts Messi celebrating Argentina’s World Cup victory over France, on his knees at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. Messi is shown holding Argentina’s jersey in one hand and pointing to the sky, a nod to his late grandmother.

Further tributes continue across Argentina. In a Buenos Aires suburb, a newly painted mural features the names of 1,300 fans who participated in its creation, aiming to capture the joy Messi brings to the nation.

Artist Leonel García, who painted the mural in 18 days, expressed pride in this community effort. “Messi brings joy to the country… and the mural does that too.” This sentiment reflects the unifying impact Messi has on fans as the world anticipates the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.