Lionel Messi lookalike Jonathan Lingham has backed England to end 60 years of hurt and reach the World Cup final by defeating Argentina in Wednesday night's semi-final. The 51-year-old from Oldham, who makes a living as a professional Messi doppelganger, predicts a 2-1 victory for the Three Lions, with Jude Bellingham scoring a header in extra time.
Prediction and Reasoning
Lingham said: “I think it’s going to be 1-1 and then into extra time I think Bellingham’s going to score a header. 2-1, end of. Bye Messi, bye Argentina.” He believes England's height advantage will be key to out-muscling the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. “He’s not that tall. Just do what you can. Do what it takes. Just bring it home. Unfortunately for Messi his day’s going to be up – because England’s going to win,” he added.
From Barber to Lookalike
Lingham, who lost 3 stone (about 19 kg) in weight, revealed that his resemblance to Messi started when he worked in a barber shop. “I lost a lot of weight – about 3st – and everyone was saying: ‘You look like Messi’. I used to work in a barber shop. Everyone was saying it in a barber shop and when I went out to the pub.” After strangers began asking for selfies, he signed up with a lookalikes agency.
Celebrity Encounters
During a trip to Wembley Stadium, where the Daily Star photographed him alongside a statue of World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore, tourists scrambled to take photos with him. Some Brits were almost convinced he was the “Messiah” himself. Lingham enjoys the “banter” his resemblance brings, including from Ronaldo fans. “I get a lot of Ronaldo fans saying ‘Ronaldo’s better’. Maybe he’s not. I’m a United fan. I love Ronaldo. So if you’re reading Ronaldo, love you man,” he said.
