The July 15, 2026, semifinal of the World Cup, in which Argentina defeated England 2-1 in Atlanta, not only secured our spot in another World Cup final but also left indelible images in Argentina’s collective memory. That same semifinal gave us a white flag bearing the phrase “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” that made its way around the world. Now, that image is forever captured in a mural commemorating Messi, the Malvinas, and the image that went around the world. It’s a perfect piece of art, and we’ll tell you where you can see it.
Messi has been immortalized in La Plata with the famous Falklands flag that made history at the World Cup
Messi, the Falklands, and the World Cup now have a new place to commemorate one of the greatest moments in sports in recent years. That moment has been immortalized in a striking mural on the walls of La Plata, which has already become a must-see for soccer fans.
This new Messi mural is located at the intersection of Diagonal 77 and 12, just a few meters from Plaza Belgrano, and is an impressive piece of urban art created at the initiative of the La Plata pizzeria InPietra.
The muralists @dreiersalvarte and @nagu_cuellar were responsible for bringing the bricks to life.
The moment that defined the history of the 2026 World Cup: “The Falklands Are Argentine”
This mural depicts a euphoric, happy Lionel Messi, kneeling on the grass with his fists clenched and wearing the national team’s alternate jersey—the image we all saw on our screens after winning an epic and unforgettable match against England.
But the detail that gives the artwork its undeniable emotional and historical significance is the reproduction of the white flag that was unfurled at the end of the match—a flag that sparked so much debate, both in Argentina and around the world, because of its inscription: “The Falklands Are Argentine.”
The story behind the flag that inspired the mural
As was revealed days after Argentina’s victory, a group of Argentine fans cut a sheet from their hotel in the United States and used black spray paint to write the phrase. To get past the security checkpoints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, they rolled up the fabric and stuffed it inside a plastic bottle.
Once the match was over, they threw the makeshift flag onto the field. It was Giovani Lo Celso who picked it up, and together with Lisandro Martínez and “Cuti” Romero, they unfurled it on the grass, presenting the world with an image where soccer, memory, and the assertion of sovereignty came together in a single gesture.
Today, thanks to the brushes and spray cans of two mural artists, that spirit of defiance and the eternal memory of the Islands live on forever on a street corner in La Plata.
- 📍Where: Corner of Diagonal 77 and Calle 12 (near Plaza Belgrano), La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires.
- 👉Access: Open to the public, on a public street. Perfect for stopping by to take a photo and grab a delicious slice of pizza while you’re at it.
