Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, has taken another monumental step in his illustrious career. His boyhood club, Newell's Old Boys, announced on June 24, 2025, that a stand at their stadium would be named in his honor. This tribute coincides with Messi's 38th birthday, further cementing his place among football's all-time greats.

The Legacy of Newell's Old Boys

Newell's Old Boys, based in Rosario, Argentina, has a rich history of honoring its legends. The stadium, known as El Coloso, was renamed Estadio Marcelo Bielsa in 2009 to celebrate the achievements of the unorthodox coach who led the team to a Primera División title in 1991. Other notable tributes include stands named after former players and coaches like Gerardo "Tata" Martino and Maxi Rodríguez.

Messi Among Legends

Messi now joins the ranks of Diego Maradona, who had the south stand named after him following his season with Newell's in the early 1990s. Maradona's legacy extends beyond Newell's, with two other stadiums renamed in his honor: Estadio Diego Armando Maradona at Argentinos Juniors and Napoli's Stadio San Paolo.

Global Tributes

Other football luminaries have also been immortalized in similar fashion:

• Pelé: The Estádio Rei Pelé in Maceio, Brazil, honors the legendary forward.
• Ferenc Puskás: The 67,000-seater Puskás Aréna in Budapest pays tribute to the Hungarian and Real Madrid legend.
• Johan Cruyff: Ajax's Amsterdam Arena was renamed the Johan Cruyff Arena in honor of the club's greatest player.
• Arsène Wenger: USL Duppigheim in France named their stadium after the Arsenal legend.
• Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton: Manchester United's Old Trafford features stands named after these iconic figures.
• Sir Kenny Dalglish: Liverpool's Anfield unveiled a stand in his honor in 2017.
• Didier Drogba: Levallois named their stadium after the Chelsea legend in 2010.
• Fernando Torres: CF Fuenlabrada renamed their stadium after the Atlético Madrid hero in 2011.
• Dwight Yorke: The Dwight Yorke Stadium in Trinidad & Tobago honors the Manchester United striker.

Conclusion

Messi's latest honor is a testament to his enduring impact on the sport. As he continues to add to his collection of accolades, his name will forever be etched in the annals of football history, alongside other legends who have left an indelible mark on the game.