Scientists have named a newly discovered plant species, Salvia messii, in honor of Argentine football legend Lionel Messi. This plant, native to the Andes mountains of central and southern Peru, has been classified as endangered due to threats from climate change and forest fires. The Salvia messii produces light blue and white flowers, which resemble the colors of Argentina’s national football team jersey, a feature associated with Messi’s country. The discovery was detailed in the October 2026 edition of the scientific journal Phytotaxa. Research was led by Paúl Gonzáles of the Natural History Museum at the National University of San Marcos in Peru, alongside Argentine researcher Rolando Uría and biologist Jean Capcha Ramos of Huarango Nature. The plant can grow up to 1.5 meters tall and thrives on rocky mountain slopes.