Study Links Messi's Ancestors to Brazil's Sao Paulo

A researcher named Fiorenzo Santini found out that Lionel Messi, the famous football player, has ancestors who lived in Brazil before moving to Argentina.

Messi's great-grandfather, Ranieri Cocchietini, came from Italy to Brazil in 1899 and lived in Sao Paulo.

The family later moved to Argentina in 1905.

The study also found that the family's name changed during their time in Brazil.

This research helped Messi get an honorary title from an Italian city.

There is a street in Brazil named after the farm owner who helped Messi's ancestors when they lived there.