Lionel Messi honored with sixth species named after him

A new sage plant species, Salvia messii, has been discovered in the Peruvian Andes and named in honor of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi. This discovery marks the sixth time a biological species has been named after the athlete, earning him a new Guinness World Record.

Native to the central and southern Andes of Peru, Salvia messii grows on rocky, dry slopes at altitudes between 2,000 and 2,400 meters. The plant can reach approximately 1.5 meters in height and features pale blue and white flowers that resemble the colors of the Argentine national flag. Despite the tribute, scientists have classified the plant as an endangered species.

The new species joins a list of previous honors including a lizard (Liolaemus messii), a burrowing spider (Acanthogonatus messii), a fossil brachiopod (Discinisca messi), a fossil condor (Vultur messii), and a fungus (Cercopemyces messii).