A video of football star Cristiano Ronaldo expressing his support for children has gone viral with the false claim that it's related to the recent Israel-Hamas conflict in Palestine. However, a fact-check by India TV has revealed that this video is from 2016 and was aimed at showing his support for Syrian children, not those in Palestine.
This misrepresentation of the video is circulating on various social media platforms, particularly X, and is generating significant attention. In the video, Ronaldo can be heard saying, "This is for the children of Syria. We know you have been suffering a lot. I am a very famous player, but you are the true heroes. Don't lose your hope. The world is with you, we care about you. I am with you." It's accompanied by captions such as "Ronaldo Stands with Palestine" and "Whole World Stands with Palestine," along with the message "Free Free Palestine."
Screenshot of misrepresentation of the video is circulating on various social media platforms.
India TV did a fact check
However, India TV's fact-checking team has determined that this video dates back to December 2016, and it portrays Ronaldo's support for Syrian children. The phrase "This is for the children of Syria" can be heard at the beginning of the clip, providing a clear context. Subsequent investigations by the team revealed a YouTube video titled 'Football star Ronaldo tells the children of Syria "I am with you"' from December 23, 2016, and it matched the content of the viral video.
Screenshot of Ronaldo himself shared this video on his verified X.
Additionally, it was noted that Ronaldo himself shared this video on his verified X account on the same date.
It's important to note that Cristiano Ronaldo has been an ambassador for Save the Children, a UK-based organization involved in relief efforts for Syrian children. The misrepresentation of the video as a recent expression of support for Palestinian children is misleading, and it's crucial to verify information before accepting it as factual.
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