Internet baffled as Messi the dog clapping at 2024 Oscars turns out to be a paw-dacious prank

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The 96th Academy Awards took an unexpected turn when Messi the dog, featured in the critically acclaimed movie 'Anatomy of a Fall', appeared to clap his paws while sitting in the audience.

However, what seemed like a heartwarming live moment turned out to be a pre-recorded prank, leaving the viewers shocked.

Messi's clapping stunt at Oscars exposed as a pre-recorded prank

As Robert Downey Jr won the Best Supporting Actor award, Messi was seen clapping for the actor and soon the moment went viral. 

However, investigations by Chris Gardener from The Hollywood Reporter revealed that the clapping scene was not live, and there were doubts about whether the dog shown was the real Messi.

A video shared on social media showed a small group of people, including the dog, surrounded by a camera crew inside the Dolby Theatre.

Upon closer inspection, it became apparent that fake paws were being held up to mimic Messi's clapping. "Messi the dog from Anatomy of a Fall was not due to attend the #Oscars, but there is a look-alike in front of a camera in the Dolby filming a segment with a small audience," wrote Gardener in an X (formerly Twitter) post. 

Internet reacts as Messi's clapping is exposed to have been staged

One said, "BETRAYAL!!!!!!!" and another added, "I don’t believe this I can’t."

A person declared, "Messi is a better actor than many of the nominees," while someone else joked, "Tell the kids about Santa Clause next why dontcha lol."

One more quipped, "*rehearsals before the show began." 

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