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Local Woman Honors Messi with Street Name in New Jersey

KVIA•Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 1:02 PM•CNN Newsource

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AI Summary

Carolina Zokalski, an Argentine immigrant, successfully campaigned to name a street in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, 'Leo Messi Way' to celebrate the soccer star's global impact and the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026. The initiative, which received support from local officials including Mayor Angie Devanney, highlights the cultural significance of Messi for Argentines and Latinos alike. Zokalski, who opened Patria Station Café, aims to create a community hub for sharing Argentine culture. She hopes the street name will be permanent and dreams of Messi visiting her café, where she once gifted him his favorite dish for his birthday.

Key Details: • The street was named 'Leo Messi Way' in Berkeley Heights, NJ. • The name change was approved a few months ago and is tied to the FIFA World Cup 2026. • Patria Station Café serves as a cultural hub for the Argentine community. • Zokalski gifted Messi a milanesa napolitana for his birthday during the Copa América 2024. • Zokalski hopes the street name will remain permanent.

community immigration culture argentina soccer

People & Organizations

New JerseyLionel MessiCarolina ZokalskiAngie DevanneyBerkeley HeightsPatria Station Café

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