Lionel Messi statue in Buenos Aires destroyed once again as vandals cut down tribute to the Barcelona legend

• Lionel Messi's statue in Buenos Aires has been targetted for a second time
• The tribute to the living legend was unveiled in the capital in June 2016
• Images this week have shown the status cut down from the ankle area
• Messi's statue was left lying on the floor by vandals, with a motive unknown

Lionel Messi's statue in Argentina's capital city of Buenos Aires has been targeted for a second time.

The figure, immortalising the Barcelona and Albiceleste legend, was unveiled in June 2016 on Paseo de la Gloria along with a host of other famous Argentine sports stars.

Earlier in January the statue was hit by vandals for the first time, cut down from the waist with only the lower half of the Messi replica remaining.

Lionel Messi's statue in Argentina's capital city of Buenos Aires has been targeted once again

Vandals cut down the sculpture of the iconic star from the ankles, completely ruining it

The statue was unveiled in June 2016 as a tribute to the living football legend

This time a much more thorough assault has been pulled off, with the statue completely cut down and left beside its podium for local authorities to later discover.

Messi, who left Argentina in 2000 to play for Barcelona, has in come under criticism from his countrymen in the past.

Despite being a national icon, Messi is often judged harshly due to his lack of achievements with the national side.

The five-times Ballon d'Or winner will undoubtedly go down as one of, if not the, greatest footballer to have ever graced the game, but fervent Argentina fans are less than convinced.

Left: How the statue looked after damage in January. Right: The remains after the latest attack

Certain fans in Argentina resent Messi because of his lack of international achievements

Along with his Ballon d'Or honours Messi's personal trophy cabinet also boasts four European Cups, eight league titles and three Club World Cups.

Supporters in Messi's homeland tend to view him as forever in the shadow of Diego Maradona, as a result of his inability to yet win a World Cup.

Messi's best chance came in Brazil, when he guided the Albiceleste to the 2014 final against Germany, only to have their hearts broken in stoppage time following a goal by Mario Gotze.

A search is still on to find the culprits of the act of vandalism, with a motive for the actions still not known.