Artist draws murals of Argentinean football legend Messi on walls in Rosario

ROSARIO, ARGENTINE - MARCH 4: A visual artist drew paints a large mural of Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi on a walls in Rosario city of Argentine. Rosario is Argentina’s third-largest city, which has more than 1.35 million inhabitants. It is also the hometown of Messi and Argentina’s famous revolutionary leader, Ernesto “Che” Guevara. Ruben Perez Barrio, the artist, said the mural on a historic water tank in the Jose Hernández park is located very close to Leo's childhood home, in the southern part of the city. “This work does not seek to be a tribute but a sign of love with him. We painted, we played, we had fun and together we made this gift for Leonel Messi," said Barrio. "They have drawn the silhouettes to remember him like this with unconditional love, not for winning a World Cup or another championship but because Rosario (his hometown) and especially the boys from the General Las Heras school love Leo," he continued. In the neighborhood, which has a bad economic situation, the local people show great interest in the world-famous football player. They imitate their own hero. All streets carry the jersey number. And the walls are painted with pictures of him. Lionel Messi, who grown up abroad as a child was forced to emigrate to Europe from his country due to some health problems. He holds the title of being one of the best players in the history of football. (Footage by Pato Saita/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)