Baum had used a long-lens photo of Mateo and Lewandowski in what looked like a heated discussion, a perfectly normal moment of on-pitch debate between two competitive athletes.
But with a sensationalist headline and a few fabricated quotes from an "anonymous source," he had twisted it into a story of jealousy and conflict.
The club's PR team, now well-versed in crisis management, immediately issued a strong denial. Klopp held a press conference where he ridiculed the story, and Lewandowski himself posted a picture on social media of him and Mateo laughing together.
The story was quickly debunked, but the incident left a bitter taste in Mateo's mouth. It was a stark reminder of how vulnerable he was, how easily his reality could be distorted by those who wished to profit from his fame. It reinforced the urgent need for a team that could not just build his career, but also protect his reputation.
