autodeclararse

To declare oneself something, often before it's confirmed by anyone else — se autodeclaró ganador antes de que se contaran todos los votos. Frequent in political and sports journalism, usually with a skeptical edge about the claim's legitimacy.

• Se autodeclaró ganador antes de que se contaran todos los votos. — He declared himself the winner before all the votes were counted.
• El grupo se autodeclaró independiente del gobierno central. — The group declared itself independent of the central government.
• La marca se autodeclara la más sostenible del sector. — The brand declares itself the most sustainable in the industry.

Missing the implicit skepticism the word usually carries in journalism — autodeclararse flags that the claim comes only from the person themselves, not from any outside authority.

Often confused with declarar.