L'Équipe: New plant species named after Messi, making him the footballer with the most named species

According to L'Équipe, a newly discovered plant in the Peruvian Andes has been named Salvia messii, making Messi the footballer with the most species named after him.

Messi has set an unusual record he never sought: he is now the footballer with the most species named after him. With this newly discovered plant, the total reaches six species bearing his name.

The new species is a plant discovered in the Peruvian Andes and has been named Salvia messii, meaning "Messi's sage." Threatened by climate change and wildfires, this species is on the brink of extinction. It is a light blue and white flower, a tribute to the colors of Argentina's national team jersey.

Following the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, researchers added an "i" to Messi's surname to indicate the species is named in his honor. The research was led by Peruvian scholar Paulo Gonzáles from the Natural History Museum of San Marcos National University, Argentine researcher Rolando Uría, and biologist Jean Capcha-Ramos.

Previously named species include a lizard, a spider, a condor fossil, a marine invertebrate, and a fungus. By comparison, Maradona has four species named after him.

AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com