In honour of Lionel Messi leading the Argentine national team to the FIFA World Cup triumph in 2022, the Argentina Football Association (AFA) has decided to name the training facility in Ezeiza after the 35-year-old.
Indeed, all the facilities owned by the AFA in Ezeiza, including the brand new housing complex at the venue, will now bear the name of Lionel Andres Messi and will no longer go by the previous name of Julio Humberto Grondona.
The announcement was made at a grand celebration ceremony in honour of the World Cup triumph wherein officials from AFA, the players of the national team, present and past, and representatives from football teams in the Argentine league were all present.
Messi, along with AFA President Claudio Tapia and national team manager Lionel Scaloni, unveiled the plaque bearing the former’s name at the property, following which the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner appeared to get very emotional.
Speaking at the event, Messi said: “Thank you because this is something very emotional for me. 20 years ago I came to this property and I felt a special energy. I am very happy. This is a very, very special recognition for me.”
Messi ended Argentina’s 36-year wait for a World Cup, following in the footsteps of the legendary Diego Maradona, leading the Albiceleste to victory in the tournament in Qatar.
The PSG superstar, who is being heavily linked with a return to Barcelona this summer, finished as the Best Player of the Tournament and won the Golden Ball for his heroics.
