The artwork debuted on 16/6, coinciding with Argentina's opening match at this year's World Cup. The statue depicts Messi on the Lusail field in Qatar, immediately after Argentina secured victory in the penalty shootout of the 2022 World Cup final. One hand clutches his team jersey, while the other points skyward—a gesture he often uses to honor his late grandmother.

Speaking to the Indian Express, the sculptor revealed the idea originated from a conversation with local leaders. Initially, they planned a life-sized statue. However, Aldo Beroisa envisioned a monumental work of large scale to truly capture the football star's stature.

The 26-meter Messi statue in Cutral Co city. Photo: Cutral Co City Government

Cutral Co, the statue's location, is situated in the Patagonian steppe, a region within the world's eighth-largest desert. According to Beroisa, accessing water from a distance posed a significant construction challenge. The internal structure uses oil-conducting steel, a material linked to the local industry. The exterior consists of three superimposed concrete layers: a fine-grain mortar layer, a medium-grain mortar layer, and a final finishing coat. The entire structure weighs approximately 70 tons.

The sculptor dedicated considerable time to sculpting the face. He studied videos and photographs of Messi from various angles to capture his essence. "This figure is a contemporary individual with immense global influence, so accurate representation is a heavy responsibility," he stated. "The statue's head is 4,3 meters tall and weighs approximately 4 tons. I spent nearly three months solely on this section to achieve the highest possible level of detail."

Spectators around the Messi statue on its inauguration day. Video: X/TyCSports

Argentina's C5N praised Aldo Beroisa for combining artistic sensibility with technical knowledge in structural calculation and construction. "This is not merely a statue, but a collective feat—where steel and cement mortar are transformed into a symbol of identity," C5N observed.

To meet the deadline, Beroisa and his team worked continuously, including holidays and weekends, during the final phase. Many individuals provided food and drinks for him and the workers, even offering mobile vehicles for their rest.

However, according to E! Online, many fans criticized the artwork's aesthetics, particularly the cup's placement between Messi's legs. Additionally, since the statue's lower body is not sculpted as complete playing attire, many viewers felt Messi appeared to be wearing only his jersey.

The statue's head before completion. Photo: C5N

Aldo Beroisa is not overly concerned by the debates surrounding the artwork. He explained that the initial idea was to depict Messi raising the trophy with one hand. However, during implementation, technical calculations necessitated a design adjustment for safety. At nearly 4 meters tall, the trophy could not withstand strong winds if placed at a high position. Therefore, the sculptor decided to lower this symbol to Messi's knee level, where the structure would be more stable against harsh natural conditions. In this region, average wind speeds range from 60-80 km/h and can surge up to 150 km/h on bad weather days.

The head after being painted. Photo: C5N

The sculptor stated: "Public attention will be drawn to the face. If I don't depict it correctly, everything I've built will collapse. With this statue, there's no mistaking it. Messi is Messi."

Aldo Beroisa, 61, has previously created numerous statues of great figures and large-scale dinosaur sculptures. He did not receive formal art education but has been passionate about drawing and sculpting since childhood. The artist was once a railway worker before becoming a sculptor.

By Thanh Thanh (Sources: Indian Express, C5N)