A life-size statue of Lionel Messi was unveiled, clutching a replica of the World Cup trophy, at the South American Football Federation (CONMEBOL) headquarters in Luque, Paraguay.

This was unveiled alongside the Argentine during the CONMEBOL ceremony before the Copa Libertadores draw on Monday.

By guiding Argentina to World Cup success last year, Lionel Messi emerged from Diego Maradona’s shadow.

At the museum of the South American federation, a monument of the forward will stand next to that of the Brazilian legend Pele and his predecessor, Maradona.

READ ALSO: Modric Speaks On Joining Ronaldo At Al-Nassr

“I had never dreamed or thought about this.

“My dream was to enjoy what I liked when I was little, to be a professional soccer player, to do what I always loved in this life.

“I had a very long road, many decisions, and defeats, but I always looked ahead and wanted to go for a triumph, for a victory.

“I think that is the most important thing, to fight for your dreams, that everything is possible and to enjoy the game, which is the most beautiful thing there is,” Messi said.

Miniature versions of the World Cup and Copa America trophies that Argentina won in 2021 were also given to the team’s players and coach, Lionel Scaloni.

After Messi’s 800th career goal in a 2-0 friendly victory against Panama on Friday, the Argentina Football Association renamed the national team’s practice facility in his honor on Saturday.

If he scores in Tuesday’s friendly against Curacao, Messi, who now has 99 goals for Argentina, would become the first player in history to reach the century mark.

Luka Modric, Croatian midfielder who plays for Laliga club Real Madrid, has denied rumors that he might join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nasr.

The midfielder has been connected to a lucrative move to the Saudi Arabian squad amid rumors that he may rejoin his old teammate Ronaldo.

But 37-year-old Modric was eager to emphasize that he intends to remain at Real for the rest of his playing days.

READ ALSO: Bayern Munich Appoints Thomas Tuchel As Head Coach

When questioned about a prospective transfer to Al-Nassr, Modric reportedly responded;

“My wish is known, to stay at Real Madrid. I believe and hope it will happen. The rests are only assumptions and rumors. I repeat for the 100th time, I hope and believe I will stay at Real Madrid.”

At Al-Nassr, Ronaldo makes £175 million a year, but it doesn’t appear like Modric will be joining him there.

Furthermore, Modric denied suggestions that in order to remain at Real Madrid, he would have to retire from the Croatian national team.

Rumors have claimed that Modric will meet with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia to discuss a possible transfer to the Saudi Pro League.

With 22 championships with Los Blancos and one Ballon d’Or, Modric has proven to be one of the top midfielders of his time.

Thomas Tuchel, a former head coach of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, has officially been appointed by Bayern Munich as their new manager.

The club made this official disclosure in a statement, and the agreement is anticipated to last until the summer of 2025.

The club disclosed; “Thomas Tuchel has been appointed FC Bayern head coach. The 49-year-old has signed a contract with the German record champions until 30 June 2025.

Bayern replaced Nagelsmann with Tuchel, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 because they have not had their usual domination of the Bundesliga so far this season.

In 2000, the German started his coaching career by taking a position as a youth coach at VfB Stuttgart.

He was an assistant coach for the VfB U19s team that won the German title in 2004–2005. On that squad were Sven Ulreich, Sami Khedira, and current FCB U19 coach Danny Galm.

READ ALSO: Cancelo Expresses Shock Over Coach Sack

After earning his DFB Pro License/UEFA Pro Level Licence, the highest coaching credential possible, in 2006, Tuchel returned to FC Augsburg as a youth coach and head of the youth division (2005–2008). He received a 1.4 overall.

Tuchel took over as the U19 coach at FSV Mainz 05 in the summer of 2008, and his Zerofivers young squad won the German title in that age group right away.

With Mainz’s promotion to the Bundesliga in August 2009, he then took over the first team. Mainz even managed to make the Europa League in Tuchel’s second season after keeping the team in the league in his first.

He led FSV for five years in total, establishing the team in the top division, where they are still now.

Tuchel took over as the head coach of Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2015 following a one-year hiatus. In 2017, he led the black and yellows to the DFB Cup and twice guided BVB to Champions League qualifying. At that time, the coach and the team split ways.

During the 2018–19 season, Tuchel thereafter took the reins as Paris Saint-head Germain’s coach. With the team from the French capital, he won the French Super Cup and the Ligue 1 title in his inaugural season.

He led PSG to the domestic double the following year, including the title and Cup de France. PSG advanced to the Champions League final in Lisbon under Tuchel’s leadership for the first time in the club’s history, however, they fell to FC Bayern 1-0 in the final. Tuchel and PSG split ways in December 2020.

The end of January 2021 saw the appointment of Tuchel as manager of Chelsea, who at the time occupied ninth place in the Premier League. He guided the West London team to victory in the Champions League and fourth place in the league in an exceptional first half of the season.

With the Blues, Tuchel went on to win the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, and in 2021, he was honored with the Best FIFA Men’s Coach award for his great work. Tuchel was let go from his Chelsea contract in September of last year.