Lionel Messi's Hometown Rosario Bans Residents from Naming Their Babies 'Messi'

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Lionel Messi's hometown of Rosario, Argentina, has banned people from naming their children "Messi."

And no, we're not kidding.

As per Mundo Deportivo (h/t Sports Illustrated), local officials have passed a law barring residents from using the surname of the world's best footballer as the first name of their newborn sons and daughters.

A family who did just that for a newborn son prompted the law.

According to the SI article, Rosario residents are still permitted to name their children Maradona. Ronaldo is presumably still available, too.