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Photos: Lionel Messi golden left foot on sale in Japan

Last updated on: March 7, 2013 08:06 IST
A golden statue of the left foot of Lionel Messi is displayed at the launching at Harajuku Quest Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

That Lionel Messi is worth his weight in gold was reaffirmed on Wednesday when a pure gold replica of the Argentina and Barcelona star's left foot was unveiled in Tokyo.

The 25cm tall and 28cm wide foot, valued at the price of 498.7 million Japanese yen (US $5.25 million), was created by Japanese jeweller Ginza Tanaka to commemorate the four-time Ballon d'Or winner's achievements.

Photos: Lionel Messi golden left foot on sale in Japan

Last updated on: March 7, 2013 08:06 IST
President and representative director of Ginza Tanaka Kikinzoku Jewelry KK, Masakazu Tanaka and Rodrigo Messi (R) pose with golden statue of the left foot of Lionel Messi

Messi's brother Rodrigo, who attended the news conference for the unveiling of the 25-kilogram golden replica, was all praise for the jeweller's work.

"It's exceptional. You can see each line in the foot. It's an impressive piece of work," he declared.

Photos: Lionel Messi golden left foot on sale in Japan

Last updated on: March 7, 2013 08:06 IST
A woman poses with the golden statue of the left foot of Lionel Messi

In a video message, the Argentina international said: "I'm honoured to have my foot recreated in pure gold."

Tanaka informed that he cast Messi's foot in Spain at the end of 2012.

Photos: Lionel Messi golden left foot on sale in Japan

Last updated on: March 7, 2013 08:06 IST
Rodrigo Messi poses with the imprint of the left foot of Lionel Messi

The foot will go on sale on Thursday, with an endorsement from the Messi Foundation.

Part of the proceeds will go to the foundation, which in turn will go towards supporting children in areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami disaster that hit Japan in March 2011.