Lionel Messi immortalised as Argentina rename their training centre after him
Lionel Messi immortalized when Argentina changed the name of their training center after last year’s World Cup triumph in Qatar, with AFA president Claudio Tapia hailing the PSG star as ‘the best player in the world’ “.
- Argentina renamed their training ground after captain Lionel Messi
- It comes after the Paris Saint-Germain star took them to the World Cup in Qatar
- The president of the AFA, Claudio Tapia, described Messi as ‘the best player in the world’
Argentina renamed their training center after Lionel Messi after last year’s World Cup success in Qatar.
Previously known as Casa de Ezeiza, it will now be called Lionel Andrés Messi after the Paris Saint-Germain star, who unveiled a plaque outside the center on Saturday.
AFA president Claudio Tapia announced the name change on Twitter with a caption referring to Messi as “the best player in the world” and thanking the staff for being “with us” in a successful period for the national team.
Argentina won the Copa América in 2021 before adding the only trophy still elusive to Messi in December after a thrilling final against France.
Its captain was awarded the Golden Ball and the Silver Boot in Qatar after a stellar tournament that led many to classify him as the best footballer of all time.
Argentina’s training center has been renamed after its World Cup-winning captain, Lionel Messi.
The president of the AFA, Claudo Tapia, called Messi ‘the best player in the world’ when announcing the name change
The name change adds to comparisons with another diminutive Argentine number 10, as Messi’s predecessor as the nation’s idol is the name of the Napoli stadium where England played last week: the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Plate revelations aside, the 35-year-old has quite enjoyed the start of the international break.
He scored his 800th career goal with a free kick against Panama in his first cap since lifting the World Cup.
The game began with a grand reception for the returning champions from a crowd of 80,000 at the Estadio Monumental.
After the victory, in which Thiago Almada also capitalized on his impressive MLS form with a first international goal, Messi addressed the fans amid a lively atmosphere in the Argentine capital.
The PSG star scored the 800th goal of his career, and the 99th for the country, with a late free kick against Panama.
Standing in front of the World Cup trophy and surrounded by his players, the Argentine legend shared that he had “dreamed” of celebrating in his home country.
“I want to thank all the love we have been receiving, not only for being world champions, but also for the Copa América beforehand. We had said that we were going to do everything we could for this,’ he began.
“I always dreamed of this moment, celebrating it with you,” an emotional Messi said after the game, standing with his family on the pitch.
If he scores another goal in Argentina’s next friendly against Curaçao on Tuesday, he will reach 100 goals for the national team.