The 35-year-old attacker also took part in Monday’s unveiling, posing with a copy of the World Cup trophy next to the statue modeled after him, which will be placed next to Diego Maradona and Pelé in the museum.
Led by Messi, the Argentine national team won the World Cup again last December in Qatar after a 36-year hiatus after the 2021 Copa America triumph.
“I never dared to dream about it, I didn’t even think about it. I just wanted to enjoy what I’ve loved since I was a child,” Messi said. “I had a long journey, with many different decisions and defeats, but I always just looked forward and that’s the most important thing. Fight for your dreams, enjoy the game and you can achieve anything.”
On Sunday, the Argentine national team’s training center in Casa de Ezeiza, Buenos Aires, was named after Messi, who scored his 800th career goal in a 2-0 friendly win over Panama last Thursday.