For millions of football fans around the world, Lionel Messi is more than just a legendary player—he is a symbol of excellence, humility, and national pride. In Argentina, admiration for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner goes far beyond football, inspiring murals, songs, tattoos, and even baby names.
However, there is one tribute that remains incredibly rare in Messi’s homeland: naming a child “Messi” as their first name.
Despite Messi’s iconic status, Argentine law makes it surprisingly difficult for parents to give their children the surname “Messi” as a given name. Yet one remarkable family managed to overcome the legal barrier, creating a story that continues to fascinate football fans more than a decade later.
Why “Messi” Cannot Normally Be Used as a First Name
Argentina has long enforced regulations governing children’s names.
Under a national law introduced in 1969, parents are generally prohibited from using family surnames as first names. The regulation was created to avoid confusion in official records and maintain consistency in the country’s civil registration system.
Because “Messi” is a surname rather than a traditional first name, parents cannot simply choose it for their newborn child.
As a result, while countless Argentinians admire Lionel Messi, very few legally carry “Messi” as their first name.
The Extraordinary Story of Messi David Varela
One family, however, refused to give up.
In 2014, Hector Varela and Lorena Sanchez welcomed their first son and decided they wanted to honor Lionel Messi in a truly unique way.
Instead of naming him Lionel or Leo like many other football-loving parents, they wanted his first name to be Messi.
The decision immediately conflicted with Argentina’s naming regulations.
Rather than accepting defeat, the couple submitted a special request to the Civil Registry Office in Río Negro Province.
Their application was eventually approved.
As a result, their son officially became Messi David Varela, making him one of the very few people in Argentina legally allowed to use Messi as a first name.
A Statement Rather Than a Trend
During a radio interview in Argentina in September 2014, Hector Varela explained why he insisted on choosing the unusual name.
According to him, the family wanted to make a statement.
He believed there were already countless children named Lionel or Leo, and choosing “Messi” felt like a more original tribute to the football icon.
Their decision quickly attracted international attention and sparked widespread discussion about Argentina’s naming laws.
Messi’s Name Remains Exceptionally Rare
Even after Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Lionel Messi’s popularity reached unprecedented levels, the first name “Messi” remained extremely uncommon.
According to Argentina’s National Registry data through June 2025, there were only:
- 11 people legally registered with Messi as their first name.
- Every one of them was 19 years old or younger.
That number is surprisingly small compared to several other countries.
Official registration data shows:
- United States – approximately 205 people named Messi.
- France – around 265.
- Brazil – roughly 363.
- Peru – an impressive 3,402.
These figures highlight just how unique Argentina’s legal restrictions remain despite Messi’s extraordinary national importance.
Different Provinces, Different Interpretations
Following the publicity surrounding Messi David Varela’s case, several other parents attempted to secure similar approval.
One of those efforts came from Santa Fe Province.
Unlike Río Negro, however, authorities rejected the requests.
Officials argued that allowing surnames to become first names could create confusion within legal documents and public records.
Buenos Aires lawyer Santiago Williams later explained that although the law is national, its interpretation can vary slightly depending on the province.
Some civil registry offices enforce the regulation more strictly than others.
Messi David Varela’s case therefore remains an exceptional legal precedent rather than the beginning of a new naming trend.
Lionel Continues to Dominate Baby Names
Because naming a child “Messi” is so complicated, most Argentine parents choose another option.
Instead, they honor the football legend by using his first name.
National Registry figures reveal there are now more than 100,000 people named Lionel in Argentina.
Even more remarkable is the age distribution.
Approximately 87% of those named Lionel are 19 years old or younger, meaning they were born after Messi made his breakthrough with Barcelona’s first team in 2004.
Following Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar, the trend became even stronger.
During 2023 alone:
- 9,505 baby boys were named Lionel.
- 446 baby girls received the name Lionela.
In practical terms, roughly one out of every 47 babies born in Argentina that year carried either Lionel or Lionela as their first name.
Messi’s Influence Extends Beyond Argentina
Lionel Messi’s impact reaches far beyond his homeland.
One example comes from Mauro Ahumada, an Argentine real estate agent who moved to Dallas, Texas, as a child.
A lifelong Messi supporter, Ahumada followed the superstar’s journey from Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy through his incredible career that included multiple Champions League titles and Ballon d’Or awards.
When his wife became pregnant with a baby boy in 2019, Ahumada immediately proposed one name:
Lionel.
His wife happily agreed.
Today, their son, Lionel Agustín Ahumada, has already started playing football and is gradually learning about the legendary player who inspired his name.
For Ahumada, naming his son Lionel represents a lasting tribute to the greatest footballer he has ever admired.
The Boy Named Messi Still Dreams Big
Unlike Lionel Messi himself, Messi David Varela has largely stayed away from public attention.
His parents chose to live a quieter life after the media spotlight surrounding his birth.
However, local reports revealed that the young boy plays football for his school and proudly wears the number 30 shirt—the same number Lionel Messi wore during his senior debut for Barcelona.
According to those close to the family, he regularly watches Messi’s matches and dreams of meeting his namesake one day.
His mother also admitted that strangers frequently ask whether his first name is really Messi.
The answer is always the same:
Yes—it truly is.
Conclusion
Lionel Messi’s influence on Argentina is impossible to measure simply through trophies or statistics.
His legacy has inspired murals, songs, tattoos, and the names of tens of thousands of children across the country.
Yet, despite his legendary status, naming a child “Messi” remains one of the rarest tributes imaginable because of Argentina’s longstanding legal restrictions.
The story of Messi David Varela proves that exceptions are possible, but they remain extraordinarily uncommon.
For most Argentine families, honoring football’s greatest icon still means choosing Lionel instead of Messi—a small difference in name, but one that reflects a unique blend of law, culture, and deep national admiration.
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