Image of Messi lights up Rosario ahead of Copa final clash

A huge shining image of national team captain Lionel Messi and his famous number 10 shirt was projected onto Rosario's famous Monumento Histórico Nacional a la Bandera (Historical National Monument to the Flag) on Friday, as the Barcelona superstar's hometown sent their good wishes ahead of Argentina's Copa América final clash with Brazil on Saturday. 

The colossal structure, with a tower rising up to 70 metres, was coloured light blue and white for the occasion using video mapping techniques, which project 3D animations onto real surfaces. 

Two other members of the Argentine national team squad who are also from Rosario, Ángel Di María and Giovanni Lo Celso, were also projected onto the monument.

Before joining Barcelona at the age of 13, Messi took his first steps into football in Newell's Old Boys, while Di María and Lo Celso played in Rosario Central, their staunch rivals. 

On the walls of the sculpture you could read phrases such as "These colours unite us", "This final unites us and" This shirt unites us. "

Argentina are hoping to see off hosts Brazil in the Copa América final tonight, which kicks off at 9pm local time.

– TIMES/AFP