Lionel Messi Statue Cut In Half In Buenos Aires On Same Day Ronaldo Wins FIFA Award
This is the worst side of Messi Vs Ronaldo rivalry.
In news that is bound to hurt Lionel Messi fans, the bronze statue of the Barcelona star has been vandalised in Buenos Aires. Incidentally, the act was reported on the same day Messi's European rival footballer Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA Player of the Year award for 2016.
Reuters
The statue was unveiled in June 2016 when Messi decided to quit international football, a decision he reversed later.
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The metal sculpture stood on Paseo de la Gloria (Glory Street), which also displays casts of other famous Argentine sports stars such as tennis player Gabriela Sabatini and basketball player Manuel Ginobili.
#LionelMessi statue is left without its head and torso after being vandalized overnight in Argentina #football pic.twitter.com/stAhwdjaOf
¡ª AFP news agency (@AFP) January 10, 2017
"The statue of Lionel Messi fell victim to an act of vandalism that left the footballer¡¯s sculpture without its top half. Its repair is now being worked on," Buenos Aires¡¯s municipal government said in a statement.
Reuters
The locals in Argentina's capital are saddened by what has happened and are lamenting the lack of police security in the city.
Reuters
Vandalising statues of celebrity footballers isn't anything new. Exactly a year back, Ronaldo's statue was vandalised in Portugal with Messi, No 10 written on its back.