Reuters
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The Argentina national team the training facility has been renamed after the amulet captain Lionel Messi to acknowledge him World Cup hero and an all-star career, the country’s football association (AFA) said on Saturday.
AFA president Claudio Tapia wrote on Twitter: Casa de Ezeiza in Buenos Aires, where the national team was founded, will now be called Lionel Andres Messi “in honor of the best player in the world”.
“Welcome to the home of world champions,” Tapia said at the launch ceremony attended by current and former Argentina players.
Messi ended Argentina’s 36-year wait for the World Cup, much like the late Diego Maradona when he led them to victory over France in a dramatic final in Qatar in December.
“I feel very happy. This tribute is very, very special,” Messi, 35, said after unveiling the plaque bearing his name. It was very beautiful.”
The World Cup is the only silver trophy missing from Messi’s extraordinary career, in which he has been voted the best player in the world 7 times and won the Copa America, 11 national championships and 4 titles. Champions League and other major titles.
Messi scored his 800th career goal in Thursday’s 2-0 win over Panama in a friendly in Buenos Aires – Argentina’s first game in front of home fans since the World Cup win .
He will lead Argentina in a friendly against Curacao on Tuesday before returning to club duty against Paris Saint-Germain.
