Argentina honour Messi in the most amazing way (photos)
– The city of Buenos Aires have unveiled a bronze statue in honour of Lionel Messi
– Argentines have been pleading with the striker to reconsider his retirement
– Messi announced his retirement from international football after the 2016 Copa America
– The President of Argentina has also begged the striker to return to the national team fold
The mayor of Buenos Aires Horacio Larreta Rodriguez has been unveiled a statue of Lionel Messi in the city just days after the player announced he was retiring from the national team.
Messi statue unvieled in Buenos Aires
Messi made the announcement following Argentina’s defeat by Chile in the Copa America final saying the ‘national team is over for me’.
The Barcelona stay has played in four finals for Argentina and failed to win any; the 2007, 2015 and 2016 Copa America and the 2014 World Cup.
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Argentine’s have been using social media to ask the 29-year-old to reconsider his decision under the hashtag #NoTeVayasLio (Don’t go, Lio) with President Mauricio Macri tweeting: “More than ever I feel a great pride for our national team. I hope that the joy of seeing the world’s best will continue for many more years. #Don’tgoLio
The hashtag has even appeared on electronic signs normally used to post traffic warnings on Buenos Aires streets.
The bronze statue was erected on Paseo de la Gloria (Glory Street), which already boasts statues of other famous Argentine sports starts such as tennis player Gabriela Sabatini and basketball player Manuel Ginobili.
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