Kylian Mbappe, the French star and Real Madrid forward, has become the subject of a deceptive campaign involving a fabricated video utilizing artificial intelligence technology. The video falsely alleges that he rejected participation in the 2026 World Cup, citing concerns over human rights issues in the United States. This misleading content has gained traction on social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, amassing over a million views with controversial claims about Mbappe's supposed statements.

The video features a digitally generated voice claiming Mbappe stated, "I will not play in a country that treats people like animals," in reference to alleged criticisms of migrant conditions at the U.S.-Mexico border. However, these statements are entirely unfounded, as there is no official record of Mbappe making such comments. Closer examination of the footage reveals characteristics indicative of manipulation, with clear discrepancies between the audio and lip movements, confirming the use of AI for its creation.

Reputable sources, including "Mundo Deportivo," have verified the content, illustrating the need for caution regarding artificial intelligence's misuse in producing fake news. This incident not only highlights the risks associated with deepfakes in sports and media but also reflects broader issues of misinformation in society, particularly as major sporting events draw closer and public figures become targets of such fraudulent narratives.