Reza Parastesh is just your average, everyday 25-year-old guy, except for one little thing - he happens to look exactly like Lionel Messi, and it's recently gotten him into a bit of trouble with the law.
The Iranian student, native to the western city of Hamedan, first noticed his striking resemblance to the Argentinian footballer a few months ago, and began trimming his hair and beard accordingly. With his number 10 FC Barcelona jersey on, he's a verifiable carbon copy, which is precisely the reason why people in his hometown lost their minds when they saw him driving around one day. Swarmed by people wanting to take photos with him, Parastesh had his car impounded by police, and was taken to the station for disturbing public order.
Thankfully, the Persian Messi was later released, and has reportedly been offered interviews and modelling contracts since the incident. Life's rough sometimes when you're a professional athlete, but clearly it's also rough if you look like one! At least if Messi ever doesn't feel like getting out of bed and needs someone to impersonate him for a day, he'll know who to call.
Can you tell which one of these men is Lionel Messi?
Hint: The guy on the left is 25-year-old Iranian student Reza Parastesh
The Messi lookalike has become a star in his hometown of Hamedan
His father first noticed the striking resemblance a few months ago, when he got Reza to try on a number 10 FC Barcelona jersey
Since then, Reza has started trimming his hair and beard to look exactly like the Argentinian footballer, and people are taking notice
While driving around one day, he was surrounded by people wanting to take photos with him, a public disturbance which attracted the police
His car was impounded, and he was rushed to the nearest station
Thankfully, he was later set free, and has reportedly been offered modelling contracts and interviews since the incident
At least if Messi ever doesn't feel like getting out of bed and needs someone to impersonate him for a day, he'll know who to call
Image credits: ATTA KENARE/ Getty Images