The Argentine Football Association (AFA) renamed this Saturday its property in the Buenos Aires town of Ezeiza with the name of “Lionel Andres Messi”in homage to the captain of the national team, world champion in Qatar 2022.
The decision materialized in an act held in the new housing complex under construction, attended by the members of the Executive Committee, the captains of the first division clubs, players of different categories, leaders and former teammates of the star in the National Team.
In the first row were Sergio “Chiquito” Romero, Javier Mascherano, Fernando Gago, Mariano Andújar and Marcos Rojoworld runners-up in Brazil 2014 under the technical direction of Alejandro Sabella.
Messi35 years old, discovered the foundation stone helped by the president of the institution, Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia; by the DT of the selected one, Lionel Scaloni, and surrounded by all his current teammates.
“Ezeiza Lionel Andrés Messi Sports Housing Complex, name instituted by the honorable Executive Committee of the AFA to the admirable symbol and prodigy of the Argentine National Team”, is the inscription on the plate. Meanwhile, the 48-hectare property, located on the Teniente General Ricchieri highway, bore the name “Julio Humberto Grondona” since October 2014 in honor of the historic leader who died months before.
Messi’s emotion for the tribute
“First of all, thank you very much for being here. It was not easy to get everyone together. More at this time, people who come from abroad, players who represent teams from all over the country, players, former teammates,” began the Paris striker. Saint Germain.
“Thank (AFA president, Claudio) Chiqui (Tapia) for this recognition. It’s something very exciting for me. I’ve been coming to this property for almost 20 years and, from the first day I entered, I felt a very special energy,” express.
“This place is something sensational. Even in the worst moments, when I’ve had very bad moments, it was just going in and forgetting everything.
Arrive and feel happiness for being in this place and I still feel it. For this reason, today I feel very happy that, after so long, this is going to bear my name. I believe that the tributes have to be made in life and this is a very special recognition for what this property means. That it bears my name is something very nice,” said the captain of the Argentine national team.
“I am one of those who think that the tributes have to be done in life. This is very special for me because of what this property means. I want to thank you for this recognition,” he said. Messi in a short speech to the attendees.
Messi, Ballon d’Or in Qatar 2022was sub 20 world champion in Holland 2005Olympic gold medalist in the Beijing 2008 Gameswinner of the Copa America Brazil 2021of the Final 2022 and winner as captain in the past world Cup.
On a personal level, he holds the record for top scorer of the national team (99 points) and also records the highest number of attendances with 173 official and friendly matches.
messi selection cup.jpg
Controversy on social networks
However, the decision of the AFA aroused some rejections in the social network Twitter. It was immediately trending “Carlos Salvador Bilardo”with claims that the property should have been named after the DT champion in Mexico 86 and runner-up in Italy 90, and at the same time promoter of the property that the selected players now enjoy. Others also mentioned Diego Maradonachampion and runner-up in those World Cups.
Source: Ambito
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