Reza Parastesh, who is known as the Iranian Messi, moved to deny the allegations made in Spanish publication Marca and on social media.

In a video post on Instagram, Parastesh said: ‘Hi friends, a piece of false news about me is trending on social media with regards to me sleeping with 23 women because they thought I was Lionel Messi. Please do not play with people’s reputation and credibility.

We are all aware of the fact that if it actually happened to anyone, there would be some complaints and it would lead to my prosecution. That would be a disaster and a calamity of international proportion. If this news was true, I would be in jail right now.’

‘Do not believe it, it is not true. I am going to do everything to fight this legally and make sure my name is cleared.’

Parastesh, 26, was informed of the allegations earlier this week and he has been trying to clear his name.

He added that the experience has been made worse because of how quickly the spread.

‘The news is spreading in the Muslim countries and it has been a disaster,’ he said. ‘I was severely harassed because it released the whole world on me. My family also harassed me, but the people’s attack was more influential.’