- Title: Messi statue in Buenos Aires broken in two
- Date: 10th January 2017
- Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (FILE) (REUTERS) RIBBON ON STATUE AS BUENOS AIRES MAYOR HORACIO RODRIGUES UNVEILING STATUE OF MESSI VARIOUS OF STATUE UNVEILING PEOPLE APPLAUDING CLOSE UP OF STATUE'S FACE VARIOUS OF STATUE MAN PHOTOGRAPHING STATUE
- Embargoed: 24th January 2017 22:52
- Keywords: Lionel Messi statue sculpture vandalism
- Location: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
- City: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0025YI2MGZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A statue of Lionel Messi in Argentina's capital has been broken in half, with the player's upper body, arms and head removed, officials reported on Tuesday (January 10).
The statue on the Paseo de la Gloria walkway overlooking the River Plate was severed at the waist leaving only the lower body and a ball.
City Hall said they do not know who was responsible or the motive for the damage.
The statue was unveiled in June shortly after Argentina lost the final of the Copa America Centenario to Chile on penalties, a defeat that prompted Messi to say he was quitting the national team.
The Barcelona forward, who returned to international duty for World Cup qualifiers in September, is widely loved in his homeland.
He does, however, have his detractors, notably those who are critical of his performances for Argentina, who have lost three major finals in two years, including at the 2014 World Cup.
The walkway has statues of Argentine sports greats including racing driver Juan Manuel Fangio, NBA basketball star Manu Ginobili, golfer Roberto de Vicenzo and tennis players Guillermo Vilas and Gabriela Sabatini.
Statues that contain bronze, as Messi's did, are sometimes vandalised to sell the precious metal. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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