Lionel Messi has received another important honour! I never dreamed of it, says the Argentine legend

Lionel Messi has received another honour! The governing body of South American football on Monday unveiled a statue of the 35-year-old Argentine playing legend, which will be placed in the CONMEBOL museum alongside statues of other legendary footballers – Pelé and Diego Maradona.

When Lionel Messi won the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar at the end of last year, he not only won the last major trophy of his career, which until then had always eluded him, but also became a true legend and a giant of world football.

So it is understandable that more and more tributes have poured in for Messi ever since. And now has come one of the truly momentous ones.

For on Monday 27 March, the governing body of South American football unveiled a statue of the 35-year-old Argentine playing legend, which will be placed in the CONMEBOL museum alongside statues of other legendary footballers – Pelé and Diego Maradona.

“We are experiencing a very special and beautiful moment, we are receiving a lot of love. It’s time for the South American team to win the World Cup again,” Messi said after unveiling the statue, quoted by ESPN.

“I never dreamed of this. My dream was to enjoy what I have always loved in this life – to be a professional footballer. I have come a very long way, but I have always looked ahead and wanted to go for the win,” he added.

In addition, Messi also received replicas of the World Cup and Finalissimo trophies during the ceremony before the Copa Libertadores draw.

His teammates and coach Lionel Scaloni also received miniature trophies, including one from the Copa America 2021.

It should be added, Argentina played its first match since the World Cup on Friday, March 24. This was in a friendly against Panama, whom they beat 2-0. Messi scored his 800th career goal on that occasion.

As far as club football is concerned, Messi and PSG have a tough home game against Lyon on Sunday 2 April. The Parisians currently lead Ligue 1 with 66 points after 28 matches, having a seven-point lead on second-placed Marseille.

ESPN, Bleacher Report, Ligue 1