Blogs

Lionel Messi finally meets Lionel Richie whom he was named after

Apr 21, 2025 | Entertainment, Sports

April 21, 2025

In a super wholesome meet-up at Chase Stadium, Lionel Richie finally met the Lionel Messi—and it turns out the connection runs deeper than just a shared name. Messi’s mom, Celia, was a big fan of Richie back in his Commodores days and revealed in a 2010 interview that his music actually inspired her son’s name. She originally liked “Leonel,” but with a little twist from Messi’s dad, “Lio” was born.

After Inter Miami’s big win over LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup, the two legends crossed paths backstage. Richie, now 74, posted the moment online with the caption, “When Lionel meets Lionel! Mom named him after me… And here we are,” adding a laughing emoji. He even joked, “I can’t play soccer, and he can’t sing—so let’s be best friends!”

It was a short but meaningful moment for both stars, finally bringing full circle a fun and heartfelt backstory.

Did you like this article?

Did you like this article?

0 Comments

Latest Posts

Messi Effect: Inter Miami Draws 75,000+ Fans Again

The Messi effect in MLS is real—and it’s getting bigger every week. Inter Miami CF just played in front of 75,824 fans at Empower Field at Mile High, marking the second-highest attendance in MLS regular season history. The match saw Lionel Messi deliver a statement...

River vs Boca Tonight: 85,000 Fans, 104 Sellouts, One Massive Clash

Tonight in Buenos Aires, it’s not just another match—it’s the Superclásico. River Plate and Boca Juniors meet at a packed Mâs Monumental, where 85,018 fans will witness River’s 104th consecutive sellout—a staggering display of loyalty that continues to set the global...

Latin@ of the Month: Jaime Santana is Doing the Work That Matters

At Toronto Latinos, we’re committed to highlighting individuals who are not only excelling in their fields, but actively creating change within our communities. This month, we recognize Jaime Santana, a leader, advocate, and founder whose work is transforming...

Events

Related articles