Rosario outlaws "Messi" :The name 'Messi' is now strictly prohibited for children

An Argentine civil servant has warned that putting the name "Messi" to newborns in Rosario, the player's home city, is totally prohibited, despite the fact that in the south of the country a father has been given permission to do exactly that.

The director of the Civil Register of the Santa Fe province, Gonzalo Carrillo, stopped dead any possible deluge of "Messis" being born in the area. Messi is a surname, he insists, and may not be used as a first name.

The director insisted that such an idea is "against the law" as it may bring about confusion. He had little choice but to admit, however, that the registration of Messi as a first name in the province of Río Negro may be seen as a precedent in the legislation of matters concerning the civil register throughout the country.

Messi fan Héctor Varela persisted until the Río Negro Civil Register accepted "Messi" as his son's first name only two weeks after the boy was born. The father requested special permission from the authorities, unaware that his son was to be Argentina's first and that such a fuss was about to be kicked up.

"I am Messi's father", Varela proudly declared. "Many people chose Lionel as a name for their sons after Messi, but this is more obvious", said the player's fan. Finally, his son has been registered as 'Messi Daniel Varela'.

Lionel Messi with his partner and son (Reuters)

Parents who wish to name their children after Barcelona star Lionel Messi will now be prohibited from doing so in his home city.

Authorities in Argentina have moved to stop any more kids being called 'Messi' amid concerns that the situation could get out of control.

It all came about after Hector Varela from Rio Negro in the south of Argentina battled with authorities in order to be allowed to name his son Messi Daniel Varela.

This was the first such case in the country, but it has led to a civil servant moving swiftly to ensure that it is not followed by a deluge of other parents in Rosario - the forward's home city.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the director of the Civil Register of the Santa Fe province, Gonzalo Carrillo, has said Messi is now not permitted as a forename.

Lionel Messi with his son Thiago (Reuters)

It is now "against the law", report the paper, in a bid to take away any confusion following what could have been seen as a precedent.

Varela said of the situation with his child's name: "I am Messi's father. Many people chose Lionel as a name for their sons after Messi, but this is more obvious".

He requested special permission from the authorities, unaware that his son was to be Argentina's first and that such a fuss was about to be kicked up.


Finally, his son was successfully registered as 'Messi Daniel Varela'.

Earlier this year, Catalonia's veterinary association released figures that suggested 701 cats and dogs in the region are named after the footballer, as noted by the Independent.