Lionel Messi sent a video message thanking the artists who created a massive mural of him in Berazategui, Argentina [1].
The gesture highlights the enduring cultural impact of Argentina's 2022 World Cup victory and the deep connection between the athlete and his home country. By acknowledging the local project, Messi reinforced the community-driven nature of the tribute.
The artwork, which stands more than five meters tall [1], was the result of a three-month construction process [2]. Artists Leonel García and Federico Merondo led the project to honor the player's legacy and celebrate the national team's triumph. The mural served as a collective effort, as more than 1,000 people signed the work [2].
“Queríamos rendir homenaje a Messi después del Mundial y que la gente se sintiera parte del proyecto,” García said [3].
The project gained significant momentum online before catching the attention of the athlete. On June 3, 2026, Messi posted a video expressing his gratitude to the creators and the community [1].
“Gracias por el apoyo, me emociona mucho ver este mural gigante. ¡Un abrazo a todos!” Messi said in the video [1].
Merondo said the project was designed to generate local pride and involve the residents of the Buenos Aires Province city. He said the work was a collective effort that now has a life of its own [2].
The mural remains a prominent landmark in Berazategui, symbolizing the intersection of professional sports achievement and grassroots public art.
““Gracias por el apoyo, me emociona mucho ver este mural gigante. ¡Un abrazo a todos!””
This interaction demonstrates the power of social media in bridging the gap between global icons and local communities. The mural's creation and Messi's subsequent response illustrate how sports triumphs are codified into permanent urban landmarks, turning public spaces into sites of collective national identity and memory.
