In a heartwarming encounter at Chase Stadium, the fan-favorite singer Lionel Richie finally met the soccer legend who shares his name—Lionel Messi. The meeting was not just a casual celebrity moment but a special moment for both, as there is a backstory tied to the singer’s influence on Messi’s name.
The connection between the two stars involves Messi's mother, Celia Maria Cuccittini, who is a fan of Richie, as the leader of the 1970s-1980s musical group 'The Commodores,' and had a lasting impact on her choice of name for her son.
When asked about the origins of Messi’s famous name, Celia shared the story in a 2010 interview, when Messi was preparing for the World Cup in South Africa.
"I always liked the name Leonel," she explained. "When Jorge [Messi's father] put it, he put Lio! When he came, I almost killed him," Celia laughed, recalling the moment. But the most significant detail was her confession: "Because we liked Lionel Richie a lot," she added.
It turns out that the singer’s influence was so strong that it played a part in Messi’s naming. During the interview, she talked about her experience welcoming the upcoming soccer icon into the world and the complications of the birth.
"I went past the due date, it was difficult, it was scheduled. I went into hospital at 6 am and Leo was born at 4:20 pm. I was almost a week overdue and the doctor didn't want to take any chances, so he said 'We're going to induce labor'," she added.
A full-circle moment for the singer and the athlete:
The long-awaited moment took place after Inter Miami’s win against LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup, which secured their place in the semifinals of the tournament.
While the encounter was brief—occurring backstage at the stadium, both stars shared a sweet moment, with Richie expressing his joy over the surprise meeting. The 74-year-old singer took to social media to share the moment with his followers.
"When Lionel meets Lionel! Mom named him after me... And here we are," Richie posted alongside a laughing emoji, further adding: "It was great to meet you after all these years."
Richie, who initially thought the story of Messi’s name was a joke, took to heart the touching tribute. "At first I thought it was a joke. Then I did my research and his mom had said it. It was true!" he remarked, smiling as he reflected on the connection. "I understand that he can't sing, but I would like to announce that I can't play soccer. So let's be best friends," Richie joked, showing his excitement.