No, Saudi Arabia Didn't Gift Cristiano Ronaldo Gold-Plated Sports Bike

The real owner of this bike, Faisal Abu Sara from Saudi Arabia, told The Quint that the claims are false.

Rujuta Thete
WebQoof
Published:
<div class="paragraphs"><p>Fact-check:&nbsp;Saudi Arabia Didn't Gift Cristiano Ronaldo Gold-Plated Sports Bike</p></div>
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Fact-check: Saudi Arabia Didn't Gift Cristiano Ronaldo Gold-Plated Sports Bike

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

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A video of a revamped sport motorcycle, Suzuki Hayabusa, is going viral on social media with a claim that the government of Saudi Arabia gifted Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo this bike.

Who shared this?: Along with several social media users, the former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Kiran Bedi, also shared the video with the same claim.

An archive can be seen here.

(Source: Twitter/Screenshot)

(Archives of similar claims can be seen here and here.)

What is the truth?: This bike belongs to a person called Faisal Abu Sara, who hails from Saudi Arabia.

  • The claim about the bike being gifted to Ronaldo is false.

How did we find out the truth?:

  • We looked for news reports on the Saudi Arabia gifting Ronaldo a gold-plated bike but could not find any reports.

  • We noticed an Instagram handle written on a poster at the end of the video and it read '@faisal_abu_sara'.

This was seen in the viral video.

(Source: Altered by The Quint)

  • On checking this profile, we found out that Saudi Arabia-based person named Faisal Abu Sara owned this bike in the viral video.

  • The bike seen on his profile matched the number plate and model of the bike seen in the viral video.

The number plates of both the bikes matched.

(Source: Altered by The Quint)

  • Furthermore, we saw the name 'THE STORM' imprinted on both bikes.

The bike was named 'The Storm'.

(Source: Altered by The Quint)

  • He had revamped his bike and won an award for custom sports bike.

We contacted the real owner of this bike: We spoke to Faisal who dismissed the viral claims and said that this is fake news.

He added, "This bike is owned by me and it is 24 carat gold plating."

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Conclusion: Clearly, there is no truth in Saudi Arabia's government gifting Ronaldo a gold-plated bike.

(Not convinced of a post or information you came across online and want it verified? Send us the details on WhatsApp at 9643651818, or e-mail it to us at webqoof@thequint.com and we'll fact-check it for you. You can also read all our fact-checked stories here.)

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