Leo in Barcelona
My story with Leo began in Barcelona. At first, it was simple curiosity about a young player the whole world was starting to talk about. With every match, I became more and more fascinated by Messi’s style of play, his calmness on the ball, and the magic he brought to the pitch. Over time, it was no longer just admiration for a player – it became a genuine fascination with his talent.
World Cup in Qatar
During the World Cup in Qatar, I watched all of Argentina’s matches at home with great emotion. When he lifted the World Cup trophy in the final, I felt like I was witnessing something historic. That was when I made a promise to myself – that one day I would travel to Argentina to see the places where it all began.
Meeting in Miami
A few months later, my journey took me to Miami. For the first time in years, I saw Messi live. I stood just a meter away from him during a training session, and later watched his match in the stadium. Walking through Wynwood, I also saw murals of him – another confirmation of how great an inspiration he is to people all over the world.
G.O.A.T.
The idea quickly began to develop. I decided to create a goat sculpture that could stand in the urban space of Lublin and join the other city goats. At the same time, I wanted to prepare a miniature version especially for Messi as a symbol of the meeting of two worlds: Argentina and Poland.
Trip to Alicante
The next step was my trip to Alicante, where the Argentina national team had its training camp. I attended an open training session at the stadium in Elche to be closer to the team. In front of the team hotel, something special happened – an Argentine journalist showed the goat to Argentine fans and media for the first time, telling the story of the GOAT project and how it began in Poland.
Personality of the year Award
To my surprise, the initiative was also recognized in his hometown. He received the “Personality of the Year” award in the local community category for attempting to build a symbolic bridge between Poland and Argentina.
The G.O.A.T. mural in Lublin
In the end, something extraordinary happened. I met a well-known mural artist from Buenos Aires who wants to create a mural in Lublin featuring Messi and the Lublin goat. At that moment, I realized that this is no longer just an idea – it is a story that has truly begun to connect our worlds.
A trip to Buenos Aires and Rosario
That promise took me, together with my friends - to Argentina. In Buenos Aires, we felt the city’s energy and its deep passion for football. Then we traveled to Rosario, Messi’s hometown, where we met his childhood neighbor, Waly. He showed us the places where it all began, sharing stories about Leo’s first steps. In every story, there was a sense of pride and respect.
An idea for a G.O.A.T. project
That was when the idea for the GOAT project, inspired by Messi’s story, was born in my mind. I come from Lublin in Poland – a city whose symbol for centuries has been a goat. I thought it would be possible to create a unique sculpture of a goat inspired by Messi’s journey, his character, and the values he represents.
Media attention
The story began to take on a life of its own. Local media in Poland quickly became interested in the idea. Television, radio, and online platforms started to share the story of a project that connects football, travel, and dreams. As a result, the GOAT project became not only an artistic initiative, but also a story about passion, courage, and belief in dreams that can connect people from different parts of the world.
Meeting with the Deputy Mayor of Lublin City
At the same time, I had the opportunity to meet with the Deputy Mayor of my city, Lublin. I presented the concept of the GOAT project and the idea of connecting Lublin with Argentina through art and sport. I then heard an important declaration – the city is ready to support this initiative and help bring it to life.
Meeting with the Argentine Ambassador
The GOAT project even led me to a meeting with the Ambassador of Argentina in Poland. During our conversation, I spoke about the idea behind GOAT – a project that connects the local symbolism of Lublin with the global sporting phenomenon of Messi and the inspiration he gives to millions of people around the world. I believe this initiative can become a symbol of friendship between our countries.