A statue of Lionel Messi was unveiled in Buenos Aires on Tuesday (28th June), just days after the Argentine striker announced his retirement from international football.

It was time said Lionel Messi to say goodbye to international football. Argentina's loss to Chile on penalties in the Copa America final on Sunday meant Messi announced the end of his career with the national team.

On Tuesday, the major of Buenos Aires, Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, unveiled a statue in Messi's honour encouraging Argentinians to flood social media with messages encouraging him to return.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish): Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, mayor of Buenos Aires:

"I think a good way to ask Lio to stay with us, and for us to stay together with him, for him to take us to victory at the World Cup in Russia, is for Argentinians to come here and take a photo of themselves on Lio's statue as a way to ask Messi to stay with us."

Messi's not spoken since about his decision but there has been a huge national push to persuade the Barcelona forward to stay. From up high and down below, everyone's getting involved.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish): Fabio Silverman, freestyle player:

"Obviously, there are always exceptions, there are always some 'anti-Messi' people who criticise him but he must go on as he always did and show everyone he will keep up the fight."

Messi has won eight La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies with Barcelona, but his only major international honour is an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Games in Beijing.