Lionel Messi honored with a statue at South America's soccer HQ

Argentina`s forward Lionel Messi stands next to a statue of himself during a tribute by Conmebol to Argentina for their Qatar 2022 World Cup title.Pic/AFP

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 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.

Also read: Lionel Messi to play for Argentina in March friendlies after Qatar win

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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