'Salvia Messii': endangered flower gets named after football legend

Football legend Lionel Messi has received a distinctive honour beyond the football field, with a newly discovered endangered plant species named after the Argentine superstar in recognition of his iconic national-team colours.

The plant, named Salvia messii, is native to the Andes mountain range in central and southern Peru. Its white and light-blue flowers resemble the colours of Argentina’s national jersey, which Messi has worn throughout his celebrated international career.

The October edition of the botanical journal Phytotaxa reported the species’ discovery and classified it as endangered because of its restricted distribution. The plant belongs to the Lamiaceae family, commonly known as the mint family, and grows to approximately 1.5 metres tall. It survives on rocky, arid mountain slopes at elevations of 2,000 to 2,400 metres.

The name follows established botanical conventions for honouring individuals. The additional “i” in Salvia messii denotes its association with Messi, with the name essentially meaning “Messi’s plant”.

The research team behind the discovery was led by Paul Gonzales of the Natural History Museum at the National University of San Marcos, alongside Argentine researcher Rolando Uria and biologist Jean Capcha-Ramos of Huarango Nature.

The recognition adds a remarkable botanical distinction to Messi’s extraordinary career. He captained Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup and won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024. He has also claimed a record eight Ballon d’Or awards.

Messi has scored 126 goals in 208 appearances for Argentina, winning six official titles with the national team. The 39-year-old’s achievements have now inspired a tribute in the natural world, linking the colours of his country’s football shirt to a rare plant growing high in the Peruvian Andes.