A photographer from Vendée, France, has achieved unexpected global fame after capturing an unusual moment during a local soccer match that has taken social media by storm. Katia Mériot's photograph of a Jam FC player has garnered massive international attention, leaving the photographer both surprised and delighted by the overwhelming response.
The viral photograph, published on October 14, 2025, shows a Jam FC player controlling the ball after recovering it by giving a shoulder bump to his opponent, who ends up in a completely unusual and comical position. The image has accumulated an impressive 148,000 likes on Instagram as of Monday, October 27, 2025. The buzz was further amplified when a screenshot of the post was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by another account, which itself collected 28,000 likes.
The photograph's reach has been truly global, with comments pouring in from around the world in Spanish, English, and Italian. The international appeal of the image is evident from the diverse range of people who have engaged with it, including an American football player and a South African music producer who both commented on the post. This level of international engagement demonstrates how a single moment captured at a local French soccer match can resonate with audiences across different cultures and continents.
Katia Mériot, the photographer behind the viral sensation, explained how she captured the perfect moment. "I was in burst mode. The action came towards me, shoulder against shoulder struggle, and the opposing player was jostled," she recounted. The photographer admitted that she was caught off guard by the massive response to her work, saying, "I am surprised and happy, it was the players who warned me" about the photo going viral.
Mériot's connection to Jam FC has personal roots, as she explained that she originally started taking photos regularly because her son played for the club. However, she noted that since he moved away, her photography work with the team will now be more occasional. This personal connection adds a heartwarming element to the story, showing how a parent's support for their child's activities can unexpectedly lead to viral fame.
The viral success represents a significant boost for Jam FC, a football club representing the communities of Jard-sur-Mer, Avrillé, and Moutiers-les-Mauxfaits. The club, which has just over 2,400 followers on its social media accounts, has suddenly found itself in the international spotlight thanks to this single photograph. This unexpected exposure could prove valuable for the local club's visibility and potentially help with recruitment and community engagement efforts in the future.
