A tribute can be built with the best intentions.

It can still become famous for the wrong reason.

That is what has happened in Cutral Co, a remote town in Argentine Patagonia, where a giant statue of Lionel Messi has drawn attention far beyond its intended purpose.

A huge tribute in Patagonia

The statue stands 26 meters tall, or around 85 feet, and was unveiled on June 16.

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According to The Associated Press, the monument shows Messi kneeling, with one arm raised and the World Cup trophy he won in 2022 placed between his legs.

It is made from 70 tons of steel and iron and stands near Route 22, where it can be seen by motorists passing through the area.

Local authorities and sculptor Aldo Beroisa have described it as the largest monument ever dedicated to Messi.

“He is Argentina’s natural ambassador. For me, it was very important, not only as an artist but as an Argentine,” Beroisa said.

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One detail changes the reaction

The scale of the statue is not what caused the biggest reaction.

Instead, many people focused on the placement of the World Cup trophy.

According to Mia Williams of UNILAD, social media users quickly began mocking the design after images of the statue spread online.

“Messi officially has the worst sports statue ever,” one user wrote on X.

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Another asked: “What was the architect thinking?”

A third comment was just as blunt: “Come on man – it looks bad from every angle.”

The statue was created as an act of admiration, but the online response has shown how quickly public art can be taken over by one awkward visual detail.

More than an internet joke

For Cutral Co, the statue is not only about Messi.

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According to Mariano Jasovich of Infobae, the monument is also part of the town’s effort to become known for large public works and attract more visitors.

Beroisa, a local artist, worked with residents and local workers to complete the project.

The statue was placed at the corner of Route 22 and Manuel Savio, a visible location that local officials hope can become a tourist stop for football fans.

That ambition has already partly worked.

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The statue has brought global attention to Cutral Co, even if much of that attention has come with jokes.

Messi mania continues

The debate around the statue comes at a time when Messi’s status in Argentina remains enormous.

He turned 39 on June 24, just two days after breaking Miroslav Klose’s men’s World Cup scoring record with his 17th and 18th goals in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria.

Argentina has also seen other tributes to its captain, including a mural in Berazategui featuring the names of more than 1,300 supporters.

The Cutral Co statue may not be remembered exactly as its creators intended.

But it has still achieved one thing.

Once again, Messi has become the centre of attention, even when he is not on the pitch.