A photograph showing Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo standing in front of a television screen featuring Messi allegedly from the recent semi-final match is going viral on social media platforms. In the viral picture, Ronaldo is seen standing with thumbs up, indicating that he was cheering for the Argentine. Newschecker found that the image has been digitally manipulated.
Several Facebook users shared the picture with the caption, “Messi and Argentina always the best..”
Links to such posts can be found here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Queen Elizabeth II Requested Cristiano Ronaldo’s Signed Jersey? Old Claim Revived
Fact Check/Verification
A Google reverse image search on the viral photograph yielded a report by Daily Mail, dated October 15, 2020, titled ‘Portugal 3-0 Sweden: Bernardo Silva and Diogo Jota goals sees hosts stay top of Nations League Group A3 as captain Cristiano Ronaldo watches on at home after positive Covid-19 test.’
The report stated, “No Cristiano Ronaldo, no problem for Portugal as they swept aside Sweden in their Nations League encounter on Wednesday night.” It further added that Ronaldo had watched the match from home after testing positive for coronavirus.
It carried a picture of the Portuguese footballer standing in front of a television set wearing the same attire and posing in the same manner as seen in the viral image. However, the television screen showcased an aerial view of a football stadium, instead of Messi. A comparison of the same can be seen below.
Another report by the US Sun, dated October 16, 2022, also carried the photograph of Ronaldo giving a thumbs up to the camera while a football stadium can be seen on the TV set behind him. The picture was captioned, “The Portuguese mega-star is currently isolating with coronavirus.”
Further, we skimmed through the official Instagram account of Cristiano Ronaldo and found that the image was posted by CR7 on October 15, 2020. The caption accompanying the photograph read, “It’s like you’re there! Let’s go Malta! Strength Portugal 💪🏼🇵🇹 #todosportugal. (translated from Portuguese)”
Conclusion
Viral photograph of Ronaldo standing in front of a television showing a close up shot of Messi is digitally edited. The actual image dates back to October 2020 and does not show Messi on television screen.
Result: Altered Photo
Sources
Report By Daily Mail, Dated October 15, 2020
Report by The US Sun, dated October 16, 2022
Instagram Post By Cristiano Ronaldo, October 15, 2020
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