This article aims at analyzing the 2014 football world cup kick-off, which highlighted a paraplegic person equipped with an "exoskeleton guided by thought". In a first part, the ritualistic framework which surrounds the event is described. It seems to establish a mediation of a symbolic or even religious nature, conducive to building trust in an announced "miracle". In a second part, the event itself is described in a factual fashion. It is clearly proven that the miracle didn't occur. Some elements of media coverage are provided, as well as internet users' reactions. It seems there was a distortion in the perceptions of the event. In a third part, after having shown that a rational reading of the announcement seemed to imply that it was impossible to carry out, a theoretical framework with a psychosocial inspiration is suggested to attempt to better explain the distortions in individuals' perceptions, during this event.
