An Egyptian painter has reportedly found an unlikely fan base in the North African nation - Barcelona football supporters, especially those who love star player Lionel Messi.

This is because 27-year-old Islam Mohammed Ibrahim Battah looks remarkably like the 33-year-old Argentine forward, considered the best footballer in the world.

"When I started growing my beard, my friends told me that I look like Messi. When I grew my beard even more, the resemblance was clearer," he told the Reuters news agency.

On a visit to an orphanage in Zagazig, a city about 90km (55 miles) north of the capital, Cairo, the children were delighted, the agency reports.

Wearing a Barcelona shirt, Battah played football with the children at a local training facility, Reuters says.

"The kids' happiness with the resemblance between me and Messi is indescribable," he is quoted as saying.

"When you make someone happy, God rewards you. I wanted to share this happiness with them."