Picking a favorite among the more than 800 goals Lionel Messi has scored throughout his career is quite challenging. However, the Argentine soccer star considers his header in the 2009 UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United as his most cherished. This goal marked a remarkable year for Barcelona, propelling them towards their inaugural treble victory.
Currently, that significant instance is being reimagined as art in the innovative project titled “Living Memory: Messi – A Goal in Life“. This unique collaboration between Messi and digital artist Refik Anadol is part of Inter Miami CF Foundation’s A Goal in Life initiative.
In the style of Anadol’s renowned “data sculptures,” Living Memory: Messi – A Goal in Life is offered as an engaging eight-minute immersion in 16K resolution. The artist refers to this creation as a “memory temple.” This digital reconstruction, fueled by artificial intelligence, reimagines the iconic header goal scored by Messi, showcasing him floating gracefully in mid-air with only one boot on, skillfully guiding Xavi’s precise cross past Edwin van der Sar.
According to Anadol, this project aims to translate one of Messi’s most cherished goals into a tangible, vivid recollection – an unprecedented endeavor. Utilizing an “action-based structure” (an open-source motion-tracking system), the artwork overlays countless data points such as biometric voice data, respiratory rhythms, heart rate patterns, and physiological signals from 17 distinct locations on the athlete’s body. This intricate layering recreates the essence of the iconic moment – the visuals, sounds, and emotions experienced by Messi, the crowd, and the world as a whole. It’s not about reminiscing; it’s about re-experiencing the intensity of that instantaneous moment: what Messi felt, what the crowd felt, and the profound impact it had globally.
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On the 8th of July, a unique piece of art will be unveiled in person for the first time at a special Christie’s auction. An accompanying exhibition will take place at New York’s Rockefeller Center from the 12th to the 22nd of July. The proceeds from the sale will benefit various nonprofit organizations, including the collaboration between Inter Miami CF and UNICEF, which helps increase educational opportunities for children in five countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Head to Christie’s website to digitally experience the moment that helped define football history.
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2025-06-11 20:26