Lionel Messi finally had to say hello to his namesake while the football legend connected himself with pop icon Lionel Richie.
The Argentina star is named after Crooner Richie by his mother.
Celia Cuccittini is an important fan of the hit maker 'Dancing on the Ceiling'.
And she decided to name Son Messi in honor of him.
Amazingly, the couple had never met each other before.
But that changed when the couple came in contact for the first time on Friday evening.
Richie posted several photos on social media and had him shake with Messi at an event with Messi.
The pair all smiled when they exchanged polite features.
And Richie went online to express his joy about their interaction.
He said: “When Lionel meets Lionel!
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“His mother called him to me … and now we are here.
“Meet you after all these years.”
However, fans were less certain whether Messi was really named after Richie.
One said, “Is this true?”
Another stated: “Where did this Messi survival come from?”
It was noted: “Imagine that you are named after Lionel Richie.”
Another added: “Messi's family recognizes greatness.”
Richie had previously stated that Messi was indeed named after him.
In 2014 the singer said: “(American meeting) will happen because I am quite honored.
“They called him after me, what about? I think it's great.”
Two years later, after Messi's Argentina lost the final of Copa America to Chile, Richie noted: “Yes, Lionel, just make it easy like Sunday morning. Don't get completely out of shape here.
“When I told you how often I lost to the Grammies and it only did one thing – get better.
“So I'm not even worried about my namesake – it will be fine.
“He is clearly a winner. I am sure he is now down, but he is a lionel, he can't go wrong.”
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