Lionel Messi Statue Broken In Half In Buenos Aires

Lionel Messi fans likely won’t be happy about the latest piece of news surrounding the Argentine striker– or more specifically, a statue constructed in Buenos Aires in his honor.

Lionel Messi Statue Broken In Half In Buenos Aires

The statue was cut in half and the torso, arms and head removed.

The motive for the act of vandalism was not clear, although city officials say repairs to the sculpture are already underway.

“This is how some vandals have left the Leo Messi statue in Buenos Aires,” the following tweet’s caption reads:

The statue was unveiled last June, just as the 29-year-old forward– who also plays for Barcelona— announced he would be retiring from the Argentine national team following the country’s loss to Chile in the Copa America final. Messi, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner– later reversed this decision, however, saying he would play for Argentina at least one more time in the 2018 Russia World Cup.

The monument stood on Paseo de la Gloria (Glory Street), which also displays casts of other famous Argentine sports stars like tennis player Gabriela Sabatini and basketball player Manuel Ginobili. 

Other statues in the area have previously been targeted by vandals or thieves.

“The statue of Lionel Messi… was victim of an act of vandalism that left the footballer’s sculpture without its top half,” the Buenos Aires municipal government said in a statement.

“The city government is already working on its repair.”

BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 10: Messi #10 of Argentina a match between Brazil and Argentina as part 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifier at Mineirao stadium on November 10, 2016 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)