In recent weeks, an Iranian doppelgänger of Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, Reza Alireza Lou, has been gaining nationwide attention in Iran for his uncanny resemblance to the famous footballer, with thousands approaching him for photographs and signatures. 

Lou is a footballer himself and plays for the Tehran league in Iran. 

Speaking to Al Alam, the young Iranian footballer says that everyone around him, including friends and colleagues comment on his resemblance to the Portuguese player. 

And for good reason, because well... see for yourself: 

The resemblance is unreal

In an interview with Al Alam, Lou explains that he's a huge fan of Ronaldo, adding that he "loves watching the footballer play," and dreams of "becoming his teammate at Real Madrid CF." 

Not the first Iranian doppelgänger

The Cristiano Ronaldo lookalike is not the only Iranian doppelgänger taking the nation by storm. 

In recent weeks another Iranian lookalike, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lionel Messi caused quite a stir and almost got arrested. 

The fuss around the Reza Parastesh, or Messi's lookalike started a few months back when his father made him pose in a number 10 Barcelona shirt and sent the pictures to a sports website.

Ever since, Parastesh has become sort of a celebrity in Iran, with thousands of people vying for a selfie or photo with him. 

He is also fully booked with news media interviews and has even landed modeling contracts. 

"Despite his early reluctance, Parastesh, 25, soon grew into his new role, cutting his hair like Messi and often donning the Barca jersey when he goes out," The New York Times reported. 

“Now, people really see me as the Iranian Messi and want me to mimic everything he does. When I show up somewhere, people are really shocked,” he said.

"I’m really happy that seeing me makes them happy and this happiness gives me a lot of energy," he added.