In Argentine Patagonia, the city of Cutral Có unveiled last Sunday, the 21st, the largest statue ever dedicated to Lionel Messi on the entire planet, reaching 26 meters in height. The monumental project began in 2024 and was designed to honor the icon’s career with the Argentine national team, especially his leadership in the victorious 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar.
The new monument surpasses the sculpture of Messi erected in India, which measures 21 meters high. With a total weight of 70 tons, the work is impressive in its details: the head, for example, alone weighs four tons, while one of the arms contributes 3,800 kilos. The bust reaches 12 tons, the torso adds 15 tons, and the entire section below the waist comprises another 25 tons, according to information from the Info Bae portal.
The grandiose project was designed and executed by the region’s artist, Aldo Beroisa. He had the essential support of a team made up of local residents and workers, who worked until the final moments before the inauguration ceremony to complete the finishes.
In an interview with Info Bae, Beroisa revealed that the Cutral Co Sports Secretariat initially requested a 1.72 meter sculpture, corresponding to Messi’s real height. The sculptor, however, rejected the idea, arguing that the size did not match the player’s greatness. “Given the stature of this man, I believe that what we propose would be insufficient,” he said, proposing the construction of the statue on a giant scale.
The sculpture’s location was strategically chosen on the banks of National Highway 22, aiming to maximize its visibility and attract visitors to the area. “Here in Patagonia, in the middle of the desert, we do not have mountains, lakes or lush rivers, but we have a dedicated population who are building this monument to invite tourists from all over the world to visit Cutral Co”, declared Mayor Ramón Rioseco during the inauguration ceremony, emphasizing the tourist potential and local pride in the work.
Cutral Có already holds the recognition of Provincial Capital of Monuments, given its tradition of preserving and displaying large works of art that harmonize with the urban setting. Exemplifying this vocation, in addition to the new statue of Messi, the city also houses a gigantic tribute to the fighters of the Falklands War.