Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Claim
The Saudi Arabia government gifted a gold bike to footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Fact
Video of a custom bike known as “The Storm” at an exhibition. No credible reports confirm that Ronaldo was given any such bike by the Saudi government.
A video purportedly showing a “gold bike” is being widely shared on social media platforms. Those who shared the footage claimed it shows a bike that has been gifted to Cristiano Ronaldo by the Saudi Arabia government. The Portuguese footballer had joined the Saudi Arabian football club Al Nassr last year.
Kiran Bedi shared the viral footage claiming on Twitter, “Motor Bike gifted to foot baller RONALDO, BY the government of SAUDI ARABIA. (sic)” Multiple other Twitter users, including verified handles, shared the clip of the “gold bike” asserting that it was a gift to Ronaldo.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
The footage is doing the round on Facebook as well making the same claim.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: No, This Video Does Not Show Cristiano Ronaldo’s First Goal For Al Nassr
Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “Ronaldo” and “Gold Bike” on Google did not yield any credible news reports on alleged “gift” by the Saudi Arabia government to the footballer. We skimmed through the recent posts on the official Twitter and Instagram account of Ronaldo but did not spot the bike seen in the viral footage.
We, then, carefully analysed the viral footage and spotted other bikes on display, suggesting the video was likely taken at an exhibition.
Further, we noticed “The Storm” written on the bike seen in the viral footage, and the Instagram handle of one “faisal_abu_sara” on the flag behind the vehicle.
Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo Enjoying A Meal From Al Baik In Riyadh? No, Viral Photograph Is Edited
Taking a clue, we looked up “@faisal_abu_sara,” and “The Storm” on Google which yielded the Instagram account by the same username. We scanned the profile, and spotted multiple posts carrying videos/images of a bike identical to the one seen in the viral footage. Additionally, the number plates of both the bikes were identical leading us to conclude that they were the same.
In a post dated February 19, 2022, @faisal_abu_sara stated that he had secured “1st place for custom sport bike,” indicating that the bike seen in the viral footage was customised by him. In response to a comment in another post, Faisal had said that the bike was “plated with real gold”
Further, we found that Faisal was also tagged in a post by user @junaids.es, carrying a video of the bike with the caption, “#customshowemirates #Dubai #dubai2022 27-03-2022”
On comparing the keyframes of the viral footage with the video posted by @junaids.es, we could conclude that they both were from the same event.
Additionally, we found a Facebook post by @Tech4Peace, dated May 19, 2023, clarifying that the video does not show any bike gifted by the Saudi Arabia government to the Al Nassr footballer.
Also Read: Ronaldo’s Thumbs Up For Messi? No, Viral Image Is Edited
Conclusion
Viral footage shared to show a “gold bike” that has been gifted by the Saudi Arabia government to footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is false.
Result: False
Sources
Instagram Account Of @faisal_abu_sara
Facebook Post By @Tech4Peace, Dated May 19, 2023
Self Analysis
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
