Lionel Messi immortalised as Argentina rename their training centre after him

Argentina have renamed their training centre after Lionel Messi following last year’s World Cup sucess in Qatar.

Previously known as the Casa de Ezeiza, it will now be named Lionel Andres Messi  after the Paris Saint-Germain star, who unveiled a plaque outside the centre on Saturday.

AFA President Claudio Tapia announced the name change on Twitter with a caption referring to Messi as ‘the best player in the world’ and thanking staff for being ‘with us’ in a successful period for the national side.

Argentina won the Copa America in 2021 before adding the one trophy that still eluded Messi in December after a thrilling final against France.

Their captain was awarded the golden ball and silver boot in Qatar after a stellar tournament which led to many labelling him the greatest footballer of all time.

AFA President Claudo Tapia called Messi ‘the best player in the world’ as he announced the name change

The renaming adds to comparisons with another diminutive Argentinian number 10, as Messi’s predecessor as the nation’s idol is the name sake for Napoli’s stadium where England played last week: the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Aside from plaque unveilings, the 35-year-old has enjoyed quite the start to the international break.

He bagged an 800th career goal with a free kick against Panama in his first international game since lifting the World Cup.

The game began with a huge reception for the returning champions from an 80,000-strong crowd at the Estadio Monumental.

After the win, which also saw Thiago Almada build on his impressive MLS form with a first international goal, Messi addressed fans amid a lively atmosphere in the Argentine capital.

The PSG star scored his 800th career goal, and 99th for the country, with a late free kick against Panama 

Standing in front of the World Cup trophy and ringed by his players, the Argentine legend shared that he had ‘dreamed’ of celebrating in his home country. 

‘I want to thank you for all the love we have been receiving, not only for being world champions, but also for the Copa America beforehand. We had said that we were going to do everything possible for this,’ he began. 

 ‘I always dreamed of this moment, celebrating with you,’ an emotional Messi said after the match, standing with his family on the pitch.

 If he scores another goal in Argentina’s next friendly against Curacao on Tuesday, he will hit 100 goals for the national team.