A statue of soccer star Lionel Messi was inaugurated on June 28 in a main street of Buenos Aires which also displays sculptures of some other famous athletes.
(Soundbite) Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, Mayor of Buenos Aires
"He is an example and a great ambassador for all Argentines in the world. It is therefore very timely to open his statue today in his honor. I think it is a good way to ask Lio to join us, stay together with us, and take us to win."
Messi said that he would quit the national team forever, after Argentina lost the finale to Chile during the Centenary Copa America in the United States two days ago.
Messi the Argentine professional footballer is often considered the best player in the world and rated by many in the sport as the greatest of all time.
