OFFICIAL: Messi Immortalized, As Argentina RENAMES Their Training Ground After Lionel Messi.
Argentina have named their official national team training camp after star player and captain Lionel Messi.
The President of Argentine Football Association (AFA) Chiqui Tapia announced on Saturday that Argentina's training centre which which was previously known as the Casa de Ezeiza, would be known as "Lionel Andres Messi" from March 25 onwards.
"We lived a historic day in our Casa de Ezeiza, which from today will be renamed Lionel Andres Messi, in homage to the best player in the world.... He said in a tweet.
"I want to thank all the managers, players and employees of @afa for having been with us."
Messi who is highly regarded as "the best and greatest footballer in the world" following his exploits at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, leading Argentina to World Cup glory last year December.
The PSG star scored seven goals, including a brace in the final, and provided three assists, and was awarded the golden ball and silver boot after a stellar performance at the tournament.
He emulated the success of the late Diego Maradona as La Albiceleste claimed their third world title, and first since 1986.
Argentina players were given a heroes welcome for their first game "an international friendly against Panama on Friday" since winning the World Cup.
The world champions dominated the game, but they didn’t get a goal until the 78th minute when Thiago Almada scored after a free kick by Messi hit the goal post.
Ten minutes later in the encounter at the El Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Messi then scored his 800th goal of his stellar professional career with a perfectly executed free kick, as Lionel Scaloni's men secured a 2-0 win.
Last night more than 80K fans at River Plate stadium welcomed the World Cup Champions.
— Seba Ongarelli 🇦🇷 (@sebaongarelli) March 24, 2023
🇦🇷Argentina 2-0 Panama 🇵🇦
Tears of happiness and the extraordinary Argentinian support.
In case you missed it… 🔊🗣️🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/sDlaLtQgfF
If the 35-year-old scores another goal in Argentina's next friendly against Curacao on Tuesday, he will hit the 100th goals milestone for the national team.
The seven time Ballon d'Or winner, further took to Instagram page to express his delight on Saturday: "This recognition is one of the nicest I've ever received," Messi posted on Instagram. "A great honour, thank you very much!!!"
Argentina will next be in action on Tuesday, another friendly game against Curacao, before Messi would return to club duty with Paris Saint-Germain.
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