Far-right news site Breitbart 'mistakes' ex-Arsenal star Lukas Podolski for jet-ski gangster

Far-right American news site Breitbart has left readers baffled after seemingly mistaking footballer Lukas Podolski for a jet-ski gangster ferrying migrants into Spain.

The website welcomed its former editor Steve Bannon back into the fold on Friday after he was dismissed by Donald Trump as Chief Strategist.

But the apparent picture gaffe appeared soon after and has since been shared around the globe.

The article, titled ‘Spanish Police crack gang moving migrants on jet-skis’, is accompanied by an uncaptioned image of ex-Arsenal striker Podolski on the back of a jet-ski making a peace sign.

It was taken during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when the German team took to the water for a day off ahead of the tournament.

The picture is believed to have been used a stock jet-ski image, with Breitbart seemingly unaware of the passenger’s significance.

Podolski, who currently plays for Vissel Kobe in the Japanese league, won the World Cup in 2014 and is Germany's third most-capped player.

Social media users have mocked the story as an "epic fail". One wrote: "This is the best thing I've seen this week. Breitbart using a picture of Lukas Podolski when talking about migrants."

The Standard has approached Breitbart for comment.