Lyon forced to confirm Mathieu Valbuena is alive after Twitter rumors circulate

The internet is a strange, wonderful, and often terrifying place. Rumors can circulate with lightning-quick speed, and bad news (real or imagined) can spread with stunning rapidity. In the latest episode of 'Those Damn Internets,' French club Olympique Lyonnais were forced to issue a statement confirming midfielder Mathieu Valbuena's status as... an alive person.

The 32-year-old French international didn't make the squad (due to injury) for the Ligue 1 side's win over Toulouse on Saturday, and shortly after the team was revealed, a number of posts appeared on Twitter claiming that he had passed away.

Things moved so quickly, Lyon were forced to address the rumors via their official account.

"Mathieu Valbuena is happily alive and well contrary to what those despicable individuals are spreading on Twitter," wrote the club. "Lyon are horrified at such disgraceful and inhuman acts."

Mathieu Valbuena's already been through a lot over the past year. He was left out of France's Euro 2016 squad after a wild sex-tape blackmail scandal involving France teammate Karim Benzema, and he's struggled with injury so far this season in a Lyon shirt. Rumors of his untimely death probably aren't going to help.

But hey, at least he's alive?

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