Viral Photo Of Messi With Tendulkar, Dhoni, Kohli and Rohit At Marine Drive Is AI-Generated

Claim

During his recent ‘GOAT’ tour to India, Lionel Messi was photographed with four Indian cricketing legends, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli, at Marine Drive in Mumbai. (Archive Link)

Fact

1. Verified meeting involved only Messi and Tendulkar

Credible media reports confirm that Lionel Messi and Sachin Tendulkar appeared together at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on December 14, 2025, where they greeted fans and exchanged gifts.

2. No record of Messi meeting Dhoni, Rohit, or Kohli

A thorough keyword search across news platforms and official social media accounts found no photos, videos, or reports of Messi meeting MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, or Virat Kohli, either individually or as a group.

3. AI-detection tools flag viral image as synthetic

The viral image was analysed using Hive Moderation and Is It AI tools.

• Both platforms concluded that the image was created using artificial intelligence.
  

The viral image claiming Lionel Messi met Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli together in Mumbai is not real. While Messi did meet Sachin Tendulkar, the group image is AI-generated.

FAQs 
1. Did Lionel Messi meet all four Indian cricketers in Mumbai?
No. Only Messi and Sachin Tendulkar were confirmed to have met.
2. Is there any photo or video proof of Messi meeting Dhoni, Kohli, or Rohit?
No credible photo, video, or news report supports that claim.
3. How was the viral image verified as fake?
AI detection tools like Hive Moderation and Is It AI flagged the image as AI-generated.
4. Why do such AI images go viral so quickly?
They combine popular public figures, trigger excitement, and are often shared without verification.
5. How can users verify similar celebrity images?
Check trusted news sources, official social media accounts, and reliable fact-check platforms.

Sources
Hive Moderation and Is it AI