Another soccer superstar falls victim to voice fabrication in an unprecedented turn of events. A week ago, Cristiano Ronaldo was embroiled in something similar. And now, his fiercest rival Lionel Messi has been targeted by some notorious manipulator. The implications of such voice manipulation are far-reaching as they raise questions of credibility of famous celebrities and athletes.

A famous female TV personality recently used Ronaldo’s voice. The clip showed the Portuguese urging her for dinner. Meanwhile, the manipulator went a step ahead by using Messi’s fabricated voice for political interest. Two such videos emerged on social media. Let’s dive deeper into both controversies.

Lionel Messi finds himself embroiled in a controversy

“Messi Votes for Milei and sends his 100% real support. Even Messi votes for him. What are you waiting for?” was the translated caption of the recent clip that emerged on X recently. It also surfaced on Facebook and TikTok. The video allegedly points out that “a different Argentina is impossible with the same old ones,” and that if Argentines want to make “a 180-degree turn you have to vote for Milei.”

AFP Factual – which, together with, Chequeado, coordinates the Reverso alliance – did a reverse Google search. They found it is the clip from Messi’s 2017 TYC Sports interview posted on Facebook. Accordingly, at minute 48:45 timestamp Messi says, “My wish is that we have a better Argentina. That we can live safely, with tranquility,” about Argentina’s social situation.

He never showered his support to any candidate or party in any interview. The video emerges two days before the Primary, Open, Simultaneous, and Mandatory (PASO) elections, which will define which political forces will be able to compete in the general elections on October 22. Another similar video that emerged was from his recent interview with Mundo Deportivo in June 2023. 

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He talked about his Inter Miami decision and departure from FC Barcelona but never about Argentina’s political situation. La Pulga’s long term rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, is well aware of the after-effects of such fabricated clips.

Cristiano Ronaldo and his dinner invitation

The 42-year-old Arabian TV presenter Halima Boland finds herself in controversy. However, she somehow dragged Cristiano Ronaldo into it by manipulating his voice. The clip that surfaced on X shows Boland screaming “I love you,” on receiving Ronaldo’s call. 

CR7 asks her out for dinner in it. Surprisingly, the Al Nassr star’s voice feels pretty authentic. The clip soon became the center of attraction in the Gulf nation. But Boland wanted to prank her followers by fabricating Ronaldo’s voice. However, her attempted prank has backfired, as Al Nassr is reportedly preparing to sue the 42-year-old former model.

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