Madeleine McCann seen at Benfica football match?

Messages are circulating across social media that claim to show missing child Madeleine McCann at a football match between Benfica and Seville, in May 2014.

The photo originally circulated prolifically across social media soon after the football match aired, and has occasionally resurfaced on the Internet since then.

During its first trip across social media the photo was shared thousands of times, especially on Twitter. The photo came to the attention of both the authorities and the McCann family. However the photo was soon dismissed. Many commented that the girl in the photo would be too young to be Madeleine who at the time would have been 11 years old, and the girl in the photo seems to be younger than that.

Whilst no official announcement regarding the photo was given by authorities (as far as we can tell), we do know that they saw the photo and presumably dismissed it. Sources close to the family also confirm the family saw the photo and said that they were “encouraged” that people were still looking for Madeleine.

Since the photo went viral, a clearer photo (below) also emerged showing the same girl at the same football match. In this better quality image it is clear to see that the trademark defect in Madeleine’s left eye is missing, making it highly unlikely that the girl in the photo could be Madeleine.

There have been many sightings of Madeleine since she was kidnapped in 2007. Sadly none have led to her being found, but authorities are still actively investigating the case and encourage anyone who may have any information that could lead to her discovery to come forward.