A 26-meter-tall statue of Lionel Messi, made of 70 tons of steel and iron, now towers over Cutral Co, a remote oil-producing town in Patagonia. This monumental tribute, inaugurated 8 days ago during Argentina’s World Cup debut, stands as a symbol of national devotion, even as one of its creators acknowledged that "the times we’re living through in Argentina may not be very good for some people." The figure depicts Messi kneeling with the World Cup trophy he won 4 years ago and an arm raised, greeting motorists on Route 22.
Spectacle and Extraction
The colossal monument, described by local authorities and its sculptor as the largest ever dedicated to the team captain, required 18 months to complete. Its construction consumed 70 tons of steel and iron, materials extracted and processed by industries that accumulate capital from such large-scale projects. Cutral Co, despite being an oil-producing town, had previously failed to attract significant attention, unlike other Patagonian communities known for picturesque lakes and mountains. The sculptor, Aldo Beroisa, 61, who has also designed giant dinosaurs and monuments to Argentina’s independence heroes in the town, stated that Messi is "Argentina’s natural ambassador."
The statue captures a moment from the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, depicting Messi falling to his knees after Gonzalo Montiel secured Argentina’s 4-2 shootout victory over France. It also shows the captain clutching Argentina’s jersey and pointing to the sky, a gesture in tribute to his late grandmother. This week, Messi achieved the record as the tournament’s top scorer, netting both goals in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria, adding to his 18 goals since his World Cup debut 20 years ago.
Unity Amidst Contradiction
Beyond the steel monument, collective labor also manifested in a mural in the Buenos Aires suburb of Berazategui. This mural, approximately six meters wide and 5.5 meters high, features Messi’s smiling face surrounded by the names of more than 1,300 admirers. Creator Leonel García, 32, collaborated with Federico Merodo, the owner of the parking lot where the wall served as the canvas. García emphasized the collective nature of the project, stating, "This is a mural that I didn’t make by myself. Beyond the fact that I painted it, it was made by more than 1,300 people," referring to those who traveled from various towns to inscribe their names.
The mural, completed in 18 days, was inspired by a relaxed gesture Messi made during a friendly match following Argentina’s triumph in Qatar. García articulated the liberal view of this cultural phenomenon, asserting, "Messi brings joy to the country. The times we’re living through in Argentina may not be very good for some people, but Messi unites everyone ... and the mural does that too, because people from everywhere come together here, from every social class and every political sector." This statement highlights how cultural figures are presented as unifying forces, potentially obscuring the underlying material divisions and economic hardships faced by "some people" in Argentina.
The State's Endorsement
Local authorities were directly involved in the inauguration of the Cutral Co statue on June 16, 8 days ago, lending official sanction to the spectacle. Their participation underscores the state's role in promoting and legitimizing such public displays, which can serve to channel collective sentiment towards nationalistic pride and away from structural critiques of the economic order. The monument, positioned to greet motorists on a public route, further integrates this cultural symbol into the public sphere under official auspices. The widespread adoration for Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, continues to inspire devotion across the country, manifesting in these large-scale, resource-intensive tributes.