MIAMI — Argentine television presenter Joaquín “Pollo” Álvarez has found himself at the centre of an international social media storm after a comical case of mistaken identity during his coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
While reporting from Miami, Álvarez confused Georgi Ivanov, president of the Bulgarian Football Union, with none other than Portuguese football icon Luis Figo — and the moment was caught on camera.
The 42-year-old journalist, known for his enthusiastic reporting style, was filming a segment on the sidelines of a Club World Cup-related event when he spotted Ivanov walking by.
Believing he had encountered Figo, Álvarez quickly sprang into action, camera in tow, trailing the Bulgarian official while enthusiastically announcing the supposed celebrity sighting.
The scene turned increasingly awkward as Álvarez, completely unaware of his error, continued to film and comment on his perceived brush with football greatness.
It wasn’t until a member of his crew intervened that the Argentine presenter was informed of the mix-up. The revelation — and Álvarez’s stunned reaction — was captured in full, much to the delight of viewers.
Making matters more memorable, Álvarez later showed the video to Lionel Messi, who was also present in Miami for the tournament. In a lighthearted exchange, Messi viewed the clip and confirmed that the man in question was indeed not Luis Figo.
The moment of recognition on Messi’s face only added to the humor and virality of the incident. The footage rapidly circulated across social media platforms, particularly gaining traction in Bulgaria, where users found great amusement in Álvarez’s blunder.
Memes, jokes, and edits flooded platforms like Twitter and TikTok, with many users mockingly suggesting that Georgi Ivanov should now consider a second career as a Figo impersonator.
While Álvarez has not issued an official apology, he took the episode in stride, later addressing it on his television program back in Argentina.
Laughing off the moment, he said, “In my defense, the lighting was strange, and I was very excited. Anyone could make that mistake… right?” His comments were met with good-natured ribbing from his co-hosts.
Georgi Ivanov, a former Bulgarian international footballer himself, has yet to comment publicly on the case of mistaken identity. However, insiders at the Bulgarian Football Union noted that the official “saw the humor in it.”
Luis Figo, a Ballon d’Or winner and veteran of both Real Madrid and Barcelona, was not present at the Miami event, making Álvarez’s confusion all the more perplexing — and hilarious.
As the Club World Cup continues, Álvarez’s viral moment has become an unexpected subplot of the tournament’s media coverage.
While his credibility may have taken a brief hit, the Argentine presenter has undeniably scored a place in the annals of football’s most entertaining sideline bloopers.