A Lionel Messi impersonator from Iran took to social media to refute allegations that he tricked 23 women into sleeping with him.
Reza Parastesh was at the centre of allegations published in Marca a few years ago that he pretended to be Argentina’s superstar in order to score with females.
However, following Messi’s recent move to the MLS, the story has resurfaced on social media.
In a post on his Instagram account at the time, Parastesh denied all claims.
He said: “Hi friends, a piece of false news about me is trending on social media with regards to me sleeping with 23 women because they thought I was Lionel Messi. Please do not play with people’s reputation and credibility.
“We are all aware of the fact that if it actually happened to anyone, there would be some complaints and it would lead to my prosecution. That would be a disaster and a calamity of international proportion. If this news was true, I would be in jail right now.
“Do not believe it, it is not true. I am going to do everything to fight this legally and make sure my name is cleared.
“The news is spreading in the Muslim countries and it has been a disaster. I was severely harassed because it released the whole world on me. My family also harassed me, but the people’s attack was more influential.”
There’s not a person on the planet who wouldn’t want to play football like Messi but looking like him might be more a curse than a blessing, as one man in Iran is finding.
Parastesh has nearly 700k fans on Instagram and often takes pictures posing like the Argentina superstar, also posting pictures of the man he looks like.
Messi has been making headlines in the past few weeks after it was confirmed that he will leave Paris Saint Germain at the end of June.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will leave European Football after signing for MLS club Inter Miami, who are owned by former England and Manchester United player David Beckham.
Do you think Inter Miami is a good move for Messi? Let us know in the comments.
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