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TEHRAN: Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is one of the most recognizable athletes on Earth, and one Iranian soccer fan is embracing his uncanny resemblance to the Argentinean superstar.
Meet Reza Perestes. He’s a regular guy from Iran, but he’s gained popularity for his stunning resemblance to Messi.
Reza Paratesh does not shy away from his looks, instead happily wearing a Barcelona No 10 Messi shirt and sporting the footballer's trademark beard.
He is often approached in the streets in the Iranian capital Tehran, where he lives, and poses in photos with strangers.
Reza Paratesh said he was encouraged to embrace his Messi-looks by his Dad.
"The first time that I seriously decided to take a photo with sports clothes and introduce myself as the double of Messi, my father encouraged me - he said 'do it'," Reza Paratesh said.
The lookalike revealed he hasn't had any surgery to look like the Argentina player, but admitted he does trim his beard in the same way on purpose.
And he says he's really glad to look like such an "important, cool and popular guy".
Reza said that he hopes to meet his hero one day.
