Argentina's World Cup hero Lionel Messi received recognition for his triumph at Qatar 2022 in the form of a life-size statue that will be placed alongside those of football legends Pele and Diego Maradona.
The South American Football Federation (Conmebol) unveiled a statue of Messi at its headquarters in Luque, Paraguay, ahead of the Copa Libertadores draw on Monday. PSG star Messi was present during the unveiling, holding a replica of the World Cup trophy he famously secured for Argentina after a titanic battle against France in December.
The 35-year-old emulated the late Maradona by leading his country to their first World Cup triumph in 36 years and has now been firmly placed alongside all-time greats in the history books.
"I had never dreamt or thought about this," Messi said. "My dream was to enjoy what I liked when I was little, to be a professional football player, to do what I always loved in this life.
"I had a very long road, many decisions and defeats, but I always looked ahead and wanted to go for a triumph, for a victory.
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Argentina's Lionel Messi poses with a statue of himself at the Conmebol headquarters in Luque, Paraguay, on Monday, March 27, 2023, Reuters -
Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez and Lionel Messi with a statue of the Argentine great. Reuters -
Argentina's Lionel Messi looks at a statue of himself during a tribute by Conmebol to the members of the Argentine national team for winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup. AFP -
Argentina's Lionel Messi alongside the Copa America trophy, left, and replicas of the World Cup and Finalissima trophies. AFP -
Lionel Messi looks at a statue of himself in Luque, Paraguay. AFP -
Computer generated images of late football legends Pele and Diego Maradona are displayed at Conmebol's headquarters in Luque, Paraguay. AFP -
Lionel Messi in Paraguay on Monday. Getty
"I think that is the most important thing, to fight for your dreams, that everything is possible and to enjoy the game, which is the most beautiful thing there is."
The Argentina Football Association renamed the national team's training facility after Messi on Saturday, two days after he scored his 800th career goal in a 2-0 friendly win over Panama.
More than 1.5 million fans applied for 63,000 available tickets for the match against Central American minnows Panama at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
Messi had been widely expected to retire from international football after the final against Kylian Mbappe's France in Doha, in which he scored two goals and a shoot-out spot-kick. But the Paris Saint-Germain forward said he wanted to carry on a bit longer so he could wear the blue and white Argentina jersey as a world champion.
Messi has scored 99 goals for his country and will become the first Argentina player to net 100 international goals if he scores in Tuesday's friendly against Curacao.
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Argentina's Lionel Messi embraces his sons prior to an international friendly match against Panama in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, March 23, 2023. Argentina won the match 2-0. AP Photo -
Lionel Messi of Argentina with his children and teammates line up for the national anthem. Getty Images -
The wife of Argentina's forward Lionel Messi, Antonela Roccuzzo, films with her mobile phone before the friendly football match against Panama, at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. AFP -
Lionel Messi of Argentina enters the pitch and passes next to the World Cup. Getty Images -
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi applauds fans after the national anthems ceremony. AFP -
Argentina forward Lionel Messi walks past the World Cup trophy before the friendly football match against Panama. AFP -
Lionel Messi of Argentina. Getty Images -
Panama's Kevin Galvan fouls Argentina's Lionel Messi. AP Photo -
Argentina forward Lionel Messi shoots. AFP -
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with teammate Rodrigo De Paul after scoring his side's second goal against Panama. It was his 800th goal in his senior career. AFP -
Argentina's Lionel Messi scores their second goal. Reuters -
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi waves during a recognition ceremony for the World Cup winning team. AFP -
Argentina forward Lionel Messi celebrates with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their children Thiago, Mateo and Ciro. AFP -
Argentina forward Lionel Messi looks at his son Thiago as he lifts a replica of the World Cup trophy. AFP -
Argentina forward Lionel Messi is lifted up by teammates during a recognition ceremony. AFP
