Fake Messi and Neymar quotes spread using DBC News logo
Two photocards carrying quotes attributed to Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr regarding Egypt’s disallowed goal against Argentina in FIFA World Cup 2026 were recently circulated on Facebook. Both photocards feature the logo of the media outlet DBC News. However, Dismislab’s fact-check found that both photocards, spread in the name of DBC News, are fake.
First photocard
The photocard was posted on July 9 from a Facebook profile. The card uses Neymar’s photo with the following text written beside it in white letters: “The decision to disallow Egypt’s goal was correct. The Egyptian player committed a serious foul by pulling the opponent’s jersey. VAR made the right decision at the right time. Messi and the entire Argentina team played exceptionally well in the last 20 minutes – Neymar Jr.” The DBC News logo appears at the top left of the card. The date at the bottom reads “8 July, 26. Wednesday,” along with the website address of the channel.
In part of the caption, the user wrote, “Many people, like me, understand less but talk more. See what Neymar says?” Until this report was published, the photocard had received 293 reactions and the post had been shared 15 times. A Facebook group also posted the same photocard with the same claim.
Second photocard
Another photocard carrying the same news outlet’s logo was also posted in a Facebook group on July 9. The card features a photo of Lionel Messi with the headline: “The decision to disallow Egypt’s goal was not correct. The VAR appeal should have come immediately. Making the VAR appeal after the goal was scored is unacceptable.” Below it, the name “Lionel Messi” appears. Like the first card, it carries the DBC News name and logo at the top. The bottom shows the date “08 July 2026. Wednesday” along with the news outlet’s website address. The caption reads, “The decision to disallow Egypt’s goal was not correct. Lionel Messi.” At the time of writing this report, the photocard had received reactions from 360 users and 49 comments. A Facebook user also shared the same post from his profile.
While verifying the photocards, Dismislab found several inconsistencies. A close look at both cards shows a white Google Gemini AI watermark in the bottom-right corner of each image. This mark appears when an image is created or edited using Google’s Gemini AI chatbot.
To verify the photocards further, Dismislab reviewed all photocards and posts published on DBC News’ verified Facebook page on July 8. No such photocard or report link appeared on the news outlet’s verified Facebook page that day. Dismislab also found no such comments by Messi or Neymar about Egypt’s disallowed goal on DBC News’ website or youtube channel.
To confirm further, Dismislab contacted DBC News. Kamrul Islam Rubel, deputy general manager of the organisation’s Digital Media Division, confirmed to Dismislab that the news outlet did not publish any photocard carrying comments by Messi or Neymar about the disallowed goal.
Also, no such quotes by the two players were found in the international media.
Therefore, fake photocards in the name of DBC News are being spread with false quotes attributed to Messi and Neymar.
Notably, on July 7, Egypt forward Mostafa Ziko’s goal in the 62nd minute against Argentina in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup was disallowed following a VAR review. The goal was ruled out because Egypt defender Marwan Attia had fouled Argentina’s Lisandro Martínez during the build-up. After Egypt’s 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the Round of 16, the team strongly protested two refereeing decisions, including the VAR ruling.
