This Photo Does Not Show Messi Arriving in Doha to Attend Qatar vs. Algeria Match

Misbar's Editorial Team

Sports

18th December 2021

This Photo Does Not Show Messi Arriving in Doha to Attend Qatar vs. Algeria Match

The photo was taken during a tour in Expo 2020 Dubai (Facebook).

The Claim

This photo depicts Argentine footballer Lionel Messi arriving in Qatar to watch the Qatar versus Algeria match.

News posted on

Emerging story

Facebook accounts have recently circulated a photo alleging that it showed Argentine professional football player Lionel Messi as he arrived in Qatar to attend the Qatar versus Algeria match as part of the semifinals for the Arab Cup 2021.

A supporting image within the article body

Photo Description: The screenshots show the alleged photo being shared on Facebook.

Misbar’s Analysis

Misbar investigated the circulated claim and found it misleading. The photo depicting Argentine football player Messi was taken during his visit to the Expo 2020 Dubai on Dec 13. The star footballer then met with Mr. Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, minister of state for tolerance and commissioner-general of Expo 2020 Dubai, and Ms. Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, minister of culture and youth.

Arab and Western media have reported that Messi did indeed visit the Qatari capital, Doha, arriving from the United Arab Emirates.

The French club Paris Saint-Germain star was seen in a jewelry store in the Pearl in Qatar on December 14, and the news of his stay to attend the Qatar-Algeria match held on December 15 was not confirmed.

Translated by Ahmed N. A. Almassri