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Messi Honored with a Statue at South America’s Soccer HQ

Lionel Messi (L) from Argentina reacts in front of a statue of him during the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) Night of Stars celebration in Luque, Paraguay, 27 March 2023. (EPA)
Lionel Messi (L) from Argentina reacts in front of a statue of him during the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) Night of Stars celebration in Luque, Paraguay, 27 March 2023. (EPA)
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Messi Honored with a Statue at South America’s Soccer HQ

Lionel Messi (L) from Argentina reacts in front of a statue of him during the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) Night of Stars celebration in Luque, Paraguay, 27 March 2023. (EPA)
Lionel Messi (L) from Argentina reacts in front of a statue of him during the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) Night of Stars celebration in Luque, Paraguay, 27 March 2023. (EPA)

The tributes continue to pour in for Lionel Messi following Argentina's World Cup triumph.

South American soccer's governing body on Monday presented the 35-year-old Argentine star a with statue, which will be placed in the CONMEBOL museum next to those of legendary players Pelé and Diego Maradona.

Messi also received replicas of the World Cup and the Finalissima trophy, which Argentina won against Italy, during the ceremony before the Copa Libertadores draw.

His teammates and coach Lionel Scaloni received miniature trophies as well, including that of the 2021 Copa America lifted in Brazil.

“We are living a very special and beautiful moment, getting a lot of love,” Messi said during the tribute. “It was time for a South American team to win the World Cup again.”

Argentina beat Panama 2-0 on Thursday in Buenos Aires in its first international friendly since winning the World Cup title in Qatar last December.

Scaloni's team will face Curacao on Tuesday to celebrate with its fans in the countryside city of Santiago del Estero.

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Lopetegui Appointed Coach of Qatar

Football - Premier League - Southampton v West Ham United - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - December 26, 2024 West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui reacts during the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Southampton v West Ham United - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - December 26, 2024 West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui reacts during the match. (Reuters)
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Lopetegui Appointed Coach of Qatar

Football - Premier League - Southampton v West Ham United - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - December 26, 2024 West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui reacts during the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Southampton v West Ham United - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - December 26, 2024 West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui reacts during the match. (Reuters)

Julen Lopetegui, sacked by Premier League side West Ham in January, was appointed the new head coach of Qatar on Thursday.

"Ready for a new chapter. Welcome Lopetegui.

"We're excited to embark on this journey together," the Qatar football federation wrote on social media.

"I'm ready" the Spaniard said in a video accompanying the post on X.

The 58-year-old former Real Madrid and Spain coach has signed a contract with the hosts of the 2022 World Cup until 2027 when Qatar will defend their Asian Cup title.

Lopetegui, who succeeds his fellow countryman Luis Garcia, will be in the Qatari dug out for the first time at a home match against Iran on June 5.

West Ham sacked Lopetegui in January after only 22 matches in charge.

The former Real Madrid and Barcelona goalkeeper takes over Qatar as they try to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

He managed Spain for two years, winning 14 of his 20 matches before being abruptly dismissed in the run up to the 2018 World Cup after he had announced his imminent move to Real Madrid.