There are only a few hours left before the most desired match of the summer, Real Madrid–PSG in the Club World Cup. Kylian Mbappé has already managed to put the spotlight on himself... but not because of his soccer.
This time, it's because of what he did off the field: a post on Instagram that has unleashed a wave of comments, mockery, and accusations of "cheating."
Mbappé sets Instagram ablaze with a "retouched" image
This isn't the first time a footballer has been accused of editing their photos, but it is one of the few cases where the mistake is so obvious.
Kylian Mbappé has once again set social media ablaze, not because of his soccer, but because of what he did off the field.
The French forward posted an image on his Instagram profile that was meant to be epic. With him as the protagonist after a standout play... but with a detail that hasn't gone unnoticed.
Mbappé digitally added a crowd to a half-empty stand to make it look like the stadium was buzzing with his action. The problem isn't just the retouching, but the intention: to give more value to a play by distorting reality.
Social media didn't take long to react. Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram have been filled with comparisons. With the original image on one side—in which a clearly empty stand can be seen—and the one posted by Mbappé, in which a crowd was inserted through digital editing.
"Beginner Photoshop" and viral memes
The wave of criticism didn't take long to arrive. Some users have called it "beginner Photoshop," while others have gone further, accusing him of trying to deceive the fans.
The memes have multiplied: edits with stadiums full of dinosaurs or giant emojis and jokes with stadiums like Camp Nou or Bernabéu... completely packed thanks to Photoshop.
Many have interpreted the gesture as an attempt by Mbappé to keep the spotlight at a time when his soccer isn't speaking for him. In the Club World Cup, his contribution hasn't been brilliant, while Dembélé is receiving praise for titles and performance.
Ballon d'Or at stake... and an image in question
The context doesn't help. Mbappé is fighting for the Ballon d'Or this year, but his performance has been below the desired level. He has lacked titles.
The edited photo hasn't only caused mockery, it has also fueled a deeper debate: to what extent can players manipulate their public image without becoming ridiculous?
Mbappé's gesture shows a bigger problem: the obsession with controlling the narrative, even at the cost of altering reality. But in the era of social media, where everything is analyzed in detail, cheating doesn't take long to come to light.