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Lionel Messi is no stranger to recognition. At Inter Miami's Nu Stadium, a stand bears his name. His childhood club, Newell's Old Boys, features a similar section dedicated to him.
While his name has appeared on stadium sections, footwear, clothing, sports beverages and more, the latest tribute may be the most unusual. A newly discovered plant species has now been named in his honor: the Salvia messii.
An academic study uncovered a new species in Peru's Andes mountain range, which has been immediately classified as endangered. With its pale blue and white flowers resembling Argentina's national team colors and the discovery coinciding with Messi's international retirement, scientists were moved to name the plant after the eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient.
Paul Gonzales of the Natural History Museum of the National University of San Marco, along with Argentine researcher Rolando Uria and biologist Jean Capcha-Ramos of Huarango Nature, described the species and carried out the initial research. The full name, written in Latin under international botanical nomenclature rules, translates to "Messi's plant," with an added "i" to denote possession. It can reach 4'11" in height, not far below the compact soccer star who stands at 5'7".
This plant species is not the first to be named after a soccer player in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. Spanish researcher Jesus Ortea named a marine mollusk Aldisa vozinhai after Cape Verde's standout goalkeeper, Vozinha, per The Athletic. It directly translates to "Vozinha's sea slug." Ortea previously named a marine snail species after legendary Costa Rica and Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Messi's Recent Honors
Messi is certainly making his mark in the academic world. Beyond a new species named in his honor, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Buenos Aires ahead of his international farewell match earlier this month. The degree recognized his sporting achievements, his embodiment of Argentine identity on the world stage and his social contributions through the Leo Messi Foundation, UNICEF and other initiatives.
While off-field accolades continue to pour in during the twilight of his career, Messi still has plenty of ambitions on the pitch as he pursues a third consecutive MLS MVP title, a second straight MLS Golden Boot and Inter Miami's defense of the MLS Cup, with the playoffs scheduled to kick off on Nov. 18.