According to “Varzesh3,” Lionel Richie is one of the greatest singers and songwriters of the 70s and 80s, with famous songs like “Hello” still being sung decades later. Richie’s fame was so widespread that many children around the world were named Lionel in his honor.

One of these children, born in Rosario, Argentina, was destined to become the biggest football star: Lionel Messi.

Lionel Richie revealed this fact after meeting Messi. The Argentine star explained to Richie that his mother was such a big fan of the singer that she named her son Lionel.

The historic meeting between the two famous Lionels took place after Inter Miami’s match against Los Angeles FC in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, where Messi’s brilliance secured Inter Miami’s place in the semifinals.

Lionel Richie, who attended the match, requested a meeting with Messi afterward. Messi, aware of Richie’s significance to his family, immediately agreed.

Richie later posted on Instagram: “When Lionel meets Lionel. This Lionel’s mother named him after me, and now we’re here together. So happy to finally meet you, Lionel Messi.”

This isn’t the first time the reason behind Messi’s name has been revealed. His mother previously stated that she named her son after her admiration for Lionel Richie. In an interview before the 2010 World Cup, Messi’s mother said: “I’m Celia Cuccittini, Lionel Messi’s mother. When Leo was born at 4 AM, we rushed to the hospital. Everything happened so fast, and since we thought we were having a girl, we hadn’t picked a boy’s name. I always loved Lionel Richie, so I told Jorge, Leo’s father, to name him Lionel, and he agreed. That’s how Lionel Messi was born.”