Matvey Safonov, 26, the Russian international goalkeeper for Paris Saint-Germain, wanted to clarify a controversy that arose around a viral photo. Wrongly accused of having been removed or digitally altered, the Parisian goalkeeper responded with humor on Telegram, explaining that it was simply… his way of being.
Safonov: “You may think I’m not there, but I am”
“You may think I’m not there, but I am. I’ve always felt uncomfortable trying to squeeze myself into group photos. In my opinion, if someone hides you in a photo, relax and don’t ruin the picture. Many people said Photoshop was used, but no — it’s just me hiding here,” he explained on his Telegram account.
The episode may raise a smile, but it also says a lot about the constant exposure PSG players live under. A simple group photo, a visual detail, and the interpretation machine goes into overdrive. Accusations of Photoshop, far-fetched theories, unnecessary suspicion: Matvey Safonov chose to shut it down with a response full of self-deprecating humor. The goalkeeper embraces a discreet personality, almost withdrawn, far from the stereotypes of the ultra-exposed footballer.
By explaining that he has always felt uncomfortable in group photos and simply tried to fade into the background, Safonov reminds us of something essential: not everything is calculated, not everything is communication. At a club as closely scrutinized as PSG, this light-hearted response acts as a welcome counterweight to constant overanalysis. Sometimes, there is nothing to decode — just a player being himself, even outside the frame.
