Messi's legacy gets a botanical touch with new plant species named in his honour

Lionel Messi has won almost every major honour in football during his illustrious career. Now, the Argentina great has received an unusual tribute from the world of science, with a newly discovered plant species named Salvia messii in his honour.Lionel Messi's legacy goes beyond football as a newly discovered plant species bears his name (AFP Photo)New Delhi,Oct 17, 2026 23:38 ISTLionel Messi has won almost every major honour in football, but his latest tribute comes from an unexpected corner of the world. Scientists have named a newly described plant species after the Argentine captain, adding a botanical distinction to the legacy of one of the game's most celebrated players.The plant, named Salvia messii, is native to the Andes of central and southern Peru. Its white and light blue flowers, which resemble the colours of Argentina's national team jersey, inspired researchers to name the species after Messi.The discovery was documented in the October edition of Phytotaxa, an international journal specialising in plant taxonomy. Researchers classified the species as endangered because of its restricted distribution, with its limited geographical range raising concerns about the habitat in which it grows.The finding adds to scientific knowledge of plant diversity in the Peruvian Andes, a mountainous region with a range of specialised habitats. WHY DID SCIENTISTS NAME PLANT AFTER MESSI?The answer lies in the flower's colours. Its white and light blue petals are reminiscent of Argentina's traditional football kit, which Messi has worn throughout his international career since making 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 has also won eight Ballon d'Or awards, further cementing his place in football history. The name Salvia messii follows the conventions of botanical nomenclature, under which species can be named in honour of people. Salvia is the genus name, while messii pays tribute to the Argentine footballer.The plant's endangered classification also brings attention to the need to protect its natural habitat. Its restricted distribution makes the discovery relevant beyond its connection to 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, the honour offers a different kind of recognition. His name will now feature in botanical records, with the colours of Argentina's national team providing the link between the footballer and the newly described species.- Ends