Lionel Messi’s legacy gets a botanical twist with new plant species named after him
Lionel Messi has won almost every major honor in football, but his latest accolade comes from an unexpected corner of the world. Scientists have named a newly described plant species after the Argentina captain, adding a botanical honor to the legacy of one of the game’s most famous players.
The plant, named Salvia messii, comes from the Andes of central and southern Peru. Its white and light blue flowers, which resemble the colors of the Argentinian national team jersey, inspired scientists to name the species after Messi.
The discovery was documented in the October issue of Phytotaxa, an international journal specializing in plant taxonomy. Scientists have classified the species as endangered due to its limited distribution, and its limited geographic range raises concerns about the habitat in which it grows.
The finding adds to scientific knowledge about plant diversity in the Peruvian Andes, a mountainous region with a variety of specialized habitats.
WHY DID SCIENTISTS NAME A PLANT AFTER MEAT?
The answer lies in the colors of the flower. Its white and light blue petals are reminiscent of the traditional Argentina soccer jersey that Messi has worn throughout his international career since his senior debut in 2005.
Messi has since led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar and two Copa America crowns. He also won eight Ballon d’Or awards, further cementing his place in football history.
The name Salvia messii follows the conventions of botanical nomenclature whereby species may be named in honor of people. Salvia is a family name, while messii pays homage to the Argentinian footballer.
The classification of an endangered plant also draws attention to the need to protect its natural environment. The limited distribution makes the discovery relevant beyond its association with Messi, highlighting the importance of documenting and conserving plant species in the Andes.
For Messi, whose career has been defined by goals, trophies and individual records, this honor offers a different kind of recognition. His name will now feature in the botanical records, with Argentina’s national team colors providing a link between the footballer and the newly described species.
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