They say everybody out there has at least one person that looks exactly like them out there somewhere, and this guy certainly fits the bill.

Iran resident Reza Parastesh, popularly known as the “Iranian Messi” for his uncanny resemblance to Lionel Messi, has been going through a bit of hell on social media after accusations arose of him possibly conning as many as 23 women into sleeping with him.

Via Marca:
Reza Parastesh, the Messi lookalike, has reportedly slept with 23 women, though his actions have been denounced by the authorities.

It all started two years ago when his father asked him to pose in Messi’s Barcelona shirt, with the photo quickly going viral before Parastesh earned the nickname ‘fake Messi’.
The rumors got so out of control that Parastesh had to take to Instagram and address them as “fake news” that could harm his “reputation and credibility.”

“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,” he requested, before adding:

“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,” he signed off.

Paratesh first rose to fame two years ago after his father asked him to pose for a photo wearing Messi’s Barcelona shirt.