Osasuna midfielder Ruben Garcia became an overnight internet sensation following a bizarre photograph from his goal celebration during a La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao on January 4, 2026, which depicted what appeared to be an unnaturally enormous leg. The image, quickly shared across social media platforms, sparked widespread speculation that it was generated by artificial intelligence (AI), with fans and commentators alike marveling at the seemingly impossible proportions. However, Garcia swiftly debunked the rumors in a candid post on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying that the “giant leg” was neither AI nor his own but a humorous prop used in his on-field antics. “It wasn’t AI, nor was it my leg,” he wrote, sharing a behind-the-scenes photo of himself attaching the oversized fake limb, putting an end to the viral mystery while highlighting the lighter side of professional soccer.

The incident unfolded during Osasuna’s 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao at El Sadar Stadium in Pamplona. Garcia, a 32-year-old Valencia native who has been a key figure for Osasuna since joining in 2019, scored a stunning free-kick equalizer in the 78th minute to cancel out Inaki Williams’ earlier opener for Athletic. The goal, a curling effort from 25 yards that dipped over goalkeeper Unai Simon, not only rescued a point for Osasuna but also ignited the home crowd. In the heat of celebration, Garcia pulled out a comically large prosthetic leg from beneath his jersey, waving it triumphantly—a nod to a popular Spanish meme or perhaps an inside joke within the team. A photographer captured the moment mid-action, resulting in an optical illusion where the prop appeared seamlessly attached to Garcia’s body, exaggerating his thigh to gigantic proportions.

The photo exploded online almost immediately after the match, amassing millions of views across platforms like X, Instagram, and TikTok. Fans were quick to cry foul, attributing the bizarre anatomy to AI manipulation. “This has to be AI— no one’s leg is that big!” one X user posted, echoing a sentiment shared by thousands. Memes proliferated, with edits superimposing Garcia’s “leg” onto famous landmarks or comparing it to superhero physiques. Soccer pundits on shows like ESPN’s “La Liga Highlights” and Sky Sports weighed in, with some speculating it was a doctored image meant to troll rivals or generate buzz. “In an era where AI can create anything, this looked too perfect to be real,” noted analyst Guillem Balague during a post-match discussion. The viral surge even caught the attention of non-soccer audiences, with tech enthusiasts on Reddit’s r/AI subreddit debating the sophistication of the supposed generation tools.

Garcia, known for his creative celebrations and affable personality, didn’t let the speculation linger. On January 6, he took to X with a clarifying post: “Aquí termina todo, me ha pillado un fotógrafo poniéndome la pierna. Ni era IA, ni era mi pierna.” Translated: “Here it all ends, a photographer caught me putting on the leg. It wasn’t AI, nor was it my leg.” Accompanying the text was a candid snapshot showing Garcia in the act of attaching the prop, a foam or inflatable replica designed to mimic a human leg but scaled up for comedic effect. The post quickly garnered over 7,000 likes and hundreds of retweets, shifting the narrative from suspicion to amusement. “Classic Ruben—always keeping it fun,” one fan commented, while another quipped, “From AI conspiracy to prop comedy in 24 hours.”

The prop’s origins remain somewhat mysterious, but sources close to the team suggest it was inspired by a running joke in the Osasuna locker room. Garcia, nicknamed “Joker” on his X bio, has a history of playful antics; previous celebrations include mimicking a golfer after a long-range strike or pretending to fish following a “hooked” goal. In interviews, he’s emphasized the importance of joy in the game: “Soccer is serious, but we need moments to smile,” he told Spanish outlet Marca in 2025. The giant leg may tie into a Spanish idiom or a nod to Osasuna’s underdog spirit— “having a leg up” on the competition—though Garcia hasn’t elaborated beyond his post.

Osasuna manager Vicente Moreno addressed the buzz in his post-match press conference, chuckling at the AI theories. “Ruben is creative on and off the ball. It’s good to see the fans engaged, even if it’s for a laugh,” Moreno said. He praised Garcia’s performance, noting the midfielder’s season stats: five goals and three assists in 18 La Liga appearances, making him a linchpin in Osasuna’s mid-table campaign. Athletic Bilbao’s Ernesto Valverde, on the other hand, focused on the draw’s implications, calling it a “fair result” but lamenting the conceded free-kick. “Garcia’s strike was world-class—prop or no prop,” Valverde quipped.

The viral moment underscores broader trends in soccer where social media amplifies quirks into global phenomena. Similar incidents include Manchester City’s Erling Haaland’s “robot” celebration in 2024, mistaken for CGI, or Neymar’s elaborate dances that sparked edit wars online. In Garcia’s case, the AI assumption reflects growing familiarity with tools like Midjourney or DALL-E, which have infiltrated sports memes. Tech experts, such as those from Adobe’s AI ethics team, have noted how realistic generations blur lines, leading to quick misattributions. “People see something odd and default to AI now—it’s the new ‘Photoshopped,’” one analyst told Fox News Digital.

Garcia’s career provides context for his lighthearted approach. Rising through Valencia’s youth system, he had loan spells at Levante and Sporting Gijon before settling at Osasuna, where he’s played over 200 matches. Off the field, he’s active on social media, with 29,500 followers on X, often sharing family moments or team insights. His bio highlights stints at Levante and Sporting, clubs he “wore and felt” deeply. This authenticity endears him to fans, turning the leg incident from potential scandal to endearing folklore.

Reactions poured in from the soccer community. Former teammate and Levante legend Jose Luis Morales reposted Garcia’s clarification with laughing emojis, while Athletic’s Inaki Williams commented, “Next time, bring two legs!” On Threads and Instagram, accounts like @foot.mundo amplified the story, posting: “Osasuna’s Ruben Garcia went viral for a giant leg which everyone assumed was AI.” The post drew thousands of engagements, with users sharing their own prop ideas for celebrations. Even non-soccer figures chimed in; comedian Russell Brand joked on his podcast about “AI legs taking over the pitch.”

The episode has no apparent disciplinary repercussions, as La Liga views celebrations leniently unless they incite violence. However, it prompts questions about props in games—FIFA rules allow them if not dangerous, but oversized items could raise safety flags. Osasuna’s media team embraced the buzz, sharing a montage of Garcia’s goals with a caption: “Real talent, fake leg—100% Ruben.”

For Osasuna, sitting 10th in La Liga as of January 9, 2026, the draw against fourth-placed Athletic maintains momentum. Garcia’s goal kept their unbeaten home streak alive, bolstering hopes for European qualification. Athletic, chasing a Champions League spot, rued the dropped points but praised their resilience.

Garcia’s viral leg serves as a reminder of soccer’s whimsical side amid its intensity. In a sport dominated by tactics and transfers, moments like this humanize players, fostering fan connections. As one supporter posted on Facebook: “From AI scare to prop hero—only in La Liga.” With Osasuna facing Real Madrid next, fans wonder if Garcia has another trick—or leg—up his sleeve.

The clarification post has shifted public perception, turning skepticism into admiration for Garcia’s humor. Tech-savvy fans now use the image as a meme template, while AI enthusiasts analyze it for generation flaws that weren’t there. Garcia, ever the joker, might incorporate the backlash into future celebrations, keeping the spirit alive.

As the story fades from headlines, it leaves a legacy: In the digital age, not everything odd is artificial. Sometimes, it’s just a guy with a giant fake leg, celebrating a goal the old-fashioned way—with a laugh.