Overview
- The 85‑foot steel monument was unveiled in Cutral Có to mark Lionel Messi’s 39th birthday on June 24 and stands as the tallest statue dedicated to him.
- Local sculptor Aldo Beroisa built the work from about 70 tonnes of metal after roughly 12–18 months of work and positioned Messi in a knees‑sliding celebration with a replica World Cup trophy between his legs.
- Images and videos of the monument went viral within hours, generating millions of views and widespread mockery focused on the trophy’s placement and unfinished surface details.
- Beroisa defended the piece as a patriotic tribute and an Instagram caption attributed to him said the statue was presented before all details were completed because of time limits.
- Reporters and commentators compare the Patagonia installation to a 70‑foot Messi statue in Kolkata that was taken down earlier this year for safety concerns, and local officials have not reported any removal or safety action for the Cutral Có site even as it draws tourists.