His name is Leonardo Esteban Adrian Gorriis 41 years old and has become a social media star. The reason? Its great resemblance to Leo Messi.
This influencer is known as the ‘double’ of Messi. His physical appearance, very similar to that of the Argentine soccer player for many, has led him to be one of the most popular characters on the Internet. On Instagram (@no_soy_messi) has more than 100,000 followers and on TikTok (@no_soy_messi) is already close to 300,000.
And it is that Leonardo is one of those people who has found fame without looking for it. He himself considers that it was a stroke of luck. «I am lucky to look like the best player in the world. This amuses people and my dream has always been to bring smiles. I have fulfilled it », he tells ABC.
But, How it all started? Leonardo explains the first time he was compared to the Rosario. «He was a bus driver and company colleagues They gave me the nickname ‘Messi’. Everyone started calling me that, even the passengers,” she recalls.
However, it was not until 2021 when the Anecdote that “changed his life” forever. «I started working as a truck driver and they gave me a police control during the pandemic. The agent told me that without a mask he was the same as the footballer. He called his other teammate and told him ‘come, Messi is here’. From that moment the character emerged. We uploaded a video to TikTok and that same night it had 5,000 views », he recounts.
“People realize that I’m not Messi because I’m 1.90”
In addition to this story, the Argentine tells other moments in which he has been confused with the current world champion: «When I go to the stadiums it happens to me a lot. For example, it happened to me in the last qualifying game for the World Cup in Qatar between Argentina and Venezuela. Although People realize that I’m not because I’m 1.90. They also ask me for photos and tell me ‘this is the closest I’ll get to him’. On the flight to come to Spain these days it also happened to me. There is a lot of euphoria.”
However, Leonardo wants to make it clear that his resemblance to Messi has little to do with his football skills. “I’m very good at playing… but on the PlayStation”he confesses between laughs.
Leonardo does not forget to mention his wife, Giselle Macagno (@no_soy_antonela), who helps you upload content on the platforms: «Without her I could not have what I have today. He’s behind all my videos.”
Giselle has even decided to join the Messi ‘universe’. In her social media accounts, the name of Antonella, making reference to the wife of the soccer star. Although in this case the resemblance is not so obvious, both want to show that everything can be fun “from the healthy and the everyday”.
Messi met his ‘double’ and this was his reaction
His new life has given him the opportunity to be closer to your idol. And not only that. she has got that Messi knows that he has a ‘double’. «Through a friend, we arrived at her house after the playoff game. He was not there, but a relative received us. I gave him my national team shirt and a letter. In it I explained to him that everything he did on social networks was with humor and with respect, “he reveals.
“Together with my family, Messi is one of the most precious people”
The ’10’ response was not long in coming and Leonardo managed to fulfill one of the greatest wishes of any Argentine or lover of this sport. «He gave me back the shirt signed with his name. Together with my family, she is one of the most precious people », he says proudly.
Can you live by being Messi’s ‘double’?
Leonardo I was a trucker until December 2022. Although it is still early to know if he will be able to make a living from being Messi’s ‘double’, the influencer indicates that he has decided to leave his old job behind and bet on it. “The benefit is not enough, but with this ‘boom’ doors have been opened and we have been able to meet a lot of people,” he says.
Little by little a path is being carved out on the Internet, which has led him to launch a play in Buenos Aires: ‘The kid’s dream of… I’m not Leo without Antonella’. “Possibly we will close something in Madrid for September,” he confirms to ABC.
This talk could not end without knowing his position on one of the football debates in recent years: Maradona or Messi, who is the best player in history? Although it is difficult for him to decide because he has been able to enjoy both, Leonardo finally opts for one of them: «They are different people at different times. Messi’s ability surpasses Diego’s and everyone speaks well of him from humility and from green.
Leonardo, almost without realizing it, has now also become the protagonist of a new debate: Does he really look like Leo Messi?
