Mashable: “I’m fulfilled,” says the player.

After Argentina’s World Cup win in Qatar, the South American football governing body revealed a life-size statue of Lionel Messi, which will eventually stand next to legend Pele and Diego Maradona in the Conmebol museum, reports SportStar and The Indian Express.

In a moving speech after seeing the statue, Messi said, “I’m fulfilled with this”, adding that it was “what I was missing.” He thanked football for everything that it has given him.

 ¡Una noche llena de sorpresas! La reacción de Lionel Messi al descrubrir su estatua con la Copa del Mundo. #LaNocheDeLasEstrellas  pic.twitter.com/T3nYWYdutc

— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) March 27, 2023
Messi and his team also received replicated World Cup and the Finalissima trophy after Itlay lost to them before the Copa Libertadores draw. His coach, Lionel Scaloni, also received the trophies, along with his teammates. Scaloni's statue also included the one seen during the 2021 Copa America in Brazil.

He revealed that he keeps “these cups” in a “museum” at home. Messi also noted that he and his team are “living very beautiful moments” and how they are “lucky” to come back to their native country and “receive many expressions of affection”. He believes this outpouring is “different”, and that’s how the “people of Argentina show it.”

Argentina won against Panama 2-0 last week in Buenos Aires, the first international friendly match they played after winning the World Cup title in Qatar in December. Argentina will be playing against Curacao on Tuesday to celebrate their win with Santiago del Estero.