THEY say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, the picture of world leaders watching the Champions League final while holding the G8 summit says only one word to me.

And that word is… awkward.

Predictably, after the picture was released there were the usual gripes from those who said the leaders meeting at Camp David had more important work to be doing.

It strikes me that a bit of international bonding over the penalty shoot-out could have been beneficial for all involved. Perhaps even a touch of light relief from the doom and gloom.

So I don’t object to the picture on any highfaluting principle. I object to it on the grounds of basic human rights.

That’s my right not to have to feel slightly queasy.

You see it’s a photograph that has cartoony thought bubbles written all over it.

David Cameron has assumed the traditional football fan pose – arms raised triumphantly.

He has no choice. Someone is taking a picture of this – so he needs to look happy that Chelsea, an English team, won.

But you can see in his eyes that he knows the boardroom at Camp David – surrounded by people of all nationalities – is hardly the stands of a football stadium. So his face is contorted with the effort of portraying light-hearted elation – as opposed to good old-fashioned gloating. It’s not exactly spontaneous joy.

Apparently German Chancellor Angela Merkel was the one who asked if the penalties could be screened. You can only assume that’s because she thought German side Bayern Munich would win.

She quickly gets her comeuppance.

Look closely and you can actually see her thinking, ‘Must arrange face into disappointed yet gracious expression’.

The result is closer to frozen horror.

Now add US president Barack Obama into the equation. Did I say Obama?

Obviously I meant the untrendy Uncle who wants to be in on the joke but clearly hasn’t got a clue what’s going on.

Worse, the end of the game then leads to a slightly stiff hug between Merkel and Cameron.

Massive cringe all round.

The only good thing to come out of pictures like this is that while some might say politicians are consummate actors –this pretty much proves they really aren’t.

As a reporter, I’m not generally in favour of closed doors. But in this case, maybe someone should have had the sense to say ‘no pictures please’.