Lionel Messi’s statue in Argentina has been hacked down by irate Argentines in Buenos Aires for the second time.
The FC Barcelona forward bronze sculpture on Paseo Del La Gloria was vandalized on Monday and its ankles chopped off with the body left on the pavement. However, the ball remained stuck to the left foot at the base of the Statue.
In June 2006, the statute was also vandalized and in January it was cut in half at the waist.
Messi, five times world player of the year, scored a hat trick against Ecuador in October to secure Argentina’s passage to next year’s World cup final in the final South American qualifying match.
The 30 year old has been criticized by most soccer crazy Argentines for failing to lead Argentina to World Cup or Copa America glory.