A Lionel Messi lookalike was almost put in prison in Iran for looking like the Barcelona superstar.
Reza Parastesh bears more than a passing resemblance with Argentine Messi from his stylish windswept hair to his fashionable beard.
Recently he decided to go out in his hometown of Hamedan dressed in full Barca kit and wandered around the centre of the town.
But Reza caused a commotion from fans thinking the five-time Ballon d'Or winner had visited the middle-eastern country.
The student was inundated with people asking for his picture before
police rushed him to a station to clear traffic and calm down the
public.
Reza is now attempting to learn some football skills to go with his look.
“Now people really see me as the Iranian Messi and want me to mimic everything he does,” Parastesh told the AFP.
“When I show up somewhere, people are really shocked.
“I'm really happy that seeing me makes them happy and this happiness gives me a lot of energy.”
