Lionel Messi Immortalised As Rare Mint-Like Plant Species Gets Named After Him | Football News

Last Updated:October 18, 2026, 17:35 IST

Scientists named a rare, endangered plant species from Peru Salvia messii after football star Lionel Messi, joining a tradition of naming new species after sports icons.

Lionel Messi (AP Photo)

As if Lionel Messi needed to be further immortalised, scientists have named a rare, newly discovered plant species after him, as a celebration of his achievements in football.

The species, which is endemic to the Andes mountain range of central and southern Peru and has been classified as endangered, has been named Salvia messii, which translates to ‘Messi’s plant’. As per the international rules of botanical nomenclature in Latin, the letter ‘i’ was added to the end of Messi’s surname to indicate ownership.

Paul Gonzales of the Natural History Museum at the National University of San Marcos worked alongside Argentine researcher Rolando Uria and Huarango Nature biologist Jean Capcha-Ramos to investigate the discovery and determine the species’ name.

This is not a new practice. When researchers discover unknown plants, animals, or insects, they frequently choose to name these new species after their favorite sports stars, creating a fascinating bridge between the worlds of athletic greatness and natural biology.

Footballers and cricketers are particularly popular choices for these scientific tributes. The legendary Diego Maradona holds a world record for having four different species named after him, including a microscopic wasp.

In the world of cricket, iconic Indian players have also been permanently recognized. Scientists have named a specific type of jumping spider after Sachin Tendulkar and a parasitic wasp after Yuvraj Singh, celebrating their historic achievements on the pitch.

Tennis champions like Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have a beetle and a fly named after them, while athletes from surfing, pole vaulting, and bodybuilding have inspired the names of sea snails and marine worms.

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Why was the newly discovered plant species named Salvia messii?

Scientists named the species Salvia messii to celebrate Lionel Messi’s football achievements, as well as because its flowers feature a white tubular structure and a light blue upper portion that resemble Argentina’s national football team kit.

Where is the newly discovered Salvia messii plant found and what is its conservation status?

Salvia messii is an aromatic shrub native to the central and southern Peruvian Andes, specifically recorded in Peru’s Lima and Ica regions at elevations between 2,000 and 2,400 metres. Because of its restricted distribution, researchers have classified the species as endangered.

Which other sports stars have had new species named after them by scientists?

Researchers frequently name new species after sports stars, such as Diego Maradona having four species named after him, and cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh having a jumping spider and a parasitic wasp named after them. Tennis champions Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer also have insects named in their honor.

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