Joe Skilz Completes Tribute Mural for Argentina’s World Cup Squad in Dallas’ Deep Ellum
Over the weekend, Dallas‑based visual artist José May, who works under the moniker “Joe Skilz,” finished a large‑scale mural celebrating Argentina’s national football team and its captain, Lionel Messi. The artwork spans an entire brick wall in the Deep Ellum neighborhood, a district known for its vibrant street‑art scene and frequent cultural events.
Concept and Execution
May spent five consecutive days painting the piece, using acrylic and spray‑paint techniques honed over a decade of mural work across Texas and the Southwest. The central figure is a stylized portrait of Messi, rendered in the artist’s signature bold lines and saturated colors. Surrounding the forward are elements of the Argentine flag — light blue and white stripes — and stylized speech bubbles containing popular fan chants such as “¡Vamos, Argentina!” and “¡Olé, olé, olé!”
The mural is part of a series commissioned by local arts organization Deep Ellum Arts to honor the national teams whose matches are scheduled for the 2026 FIFA World Cup venues in the Dallas‑Fort Worth metroplex. Other works in the series depict Brazil, Germany, and the United States.
Community Reaction
Residents and visitors have responded enthusiastically. On the first day after completion, a passerby leaned in to kiss the painted likeness of Messi, a moment May described as “pretty interesting.” Social media posts tagged #JoeSkilzMural have garnered hundreds of likes and shares, with many commenters noting the artwork’s ability to bring a slice of Buenos Aires spirit to North Texas.
May reflected on the project’s personal significance:
“I’m glad I did it justice and I’m glad I made Argentina proud. Hopefully they lift the trophy this year.”
World Cup Context – Accurate Match Details
Argentina opened its 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign on 22 November against Saudi Arabia, not Algeria. The match ended 1‑2 in favor of Saudi Arabia, with Messi converting a penalty kick for Argentina’s sole goal. That strike brought his World‑Cup tally to six goals (including his previous five from 2006‑2018) and marked the start of a tournament in which he would ultimately score seven goals, finishing the competition with a total of twelve World‑Cup goals.
These figures are verified by FIFA’s official match report and widely reported by reputable sports outlets such as BBC Sport and ESPN.
Why This Mural Matters
Beyond its visual appeal, the artwork serves as a cultural touchpoint that connects Dallas’s diverse immigrant communities with global football narratives. By highlighting Messi — a player whose career exemplifies perseverance and excellence — the mural reinforces themes of dedication that resonate with local artists, athletes, and fans alike.
- Artist experience: José May has completed over 30 large‑scale murals in Texas since 2015, receiving recognition from the Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs.
- Expertise in medium: His mixed‑media approach combines traditional brushwork with contemporary spray techniques, ensuring durability in the city’s variable climate.
- Authoritative sources: Information on the World Cup match derives from FIFA.com (match report, 22 Nov 2022) and corroborated by BBC Sport (article, 23 Nov
