League: MLS Sport: Soccer Country: Argentina Category: Scores & Results

Patagonian town unveils giant Lionel Messi statue ahead of match

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 22, 2026, 9:11 AM

Last updated Jun 22, 2026

Patagonian town unveils giant Lionel Messi statue ahead of match

Summary

Cutral Có, a small town in Neuquén province, Argentina, has unveiled a 26-meter tall statue of Lionel Messi. The statue, designed by Aldo Beroisa, depicts Messi in an Argentina kit with a raised fist and a replica of the 2022 World Cup trophy. The town has organized a public viewing event for the statue ahead of Argentina's second group match against Austria. The initiative aims to attract tourism to the area, which has a population of 35,000 and is an important center for the oil and petrochemical industries. This statue adds to previous monuments erected in Messi's honor.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•The statue is 26 meters tall and weighs 70 tonnes.
•Designed by local artist Aldo Beroisa.
•Public viewing event is scheduled prior to the match against Austria.
•Cutral Có hopes to increase tourism with the statue.
•Previous Messi statues have faced safety concerns elsewhere.

Latest Updates

9:11 AMYahoo Sports — Patagonian town unveils giant Lionel Messi statue

What they're saying

"
A small town in Patagonia has unveiled a giant statue decidated to Argentina's football hero Lionel Messi. The monument in Cutral Có, in Neuquén province, depicts a kneeling Messi in the Argentina kit with a raised fist and a replica of the 2022 World Cup trophy.
— Yahoo Sports

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