Club World Cup: No, Kylian Mbappé Didn't Alter a Photo Using AI to Fill Empty Stands

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Artificial Intelligence (AI): From Fascination to Concern

The photograph, clumsily retouched using AI to adapt to smartphone screens, was published on social media during the night of July 5-6 about forty minutes before the footballer shared it himself.

The original shot was taken in landscape format by sports photographer Hector Vivas during the match on July 5, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. (Hector Vivas/FIFA. Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappé probably didn't expect the reactions that would come from sharing on his Facebook and Instagram accounts – on July 6 at 1:09 a.m. – a photo immortalizing his acrobatic goal against Borussia Dortmund in the 94th minute of play. Several Internet users ironically offered him their "Photoshop" services in the comments. And for good reason: the entire upper part of the image shows stands filled with vague white and pink masses, supposedly supporters. These distortions and approximations are typical of those produced by the least efficient generative AI. Various commentators, on sports sites or on social networks, suggest that Mbappé would have wanted to "fill empty seats" .

The original photograph can easily be found on the Getty Images website . Taken during the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium on July 5, it was taken by sports photographer Hector Vivas. This shot,