Fact check analysis of images, which depict football legend Cristiano Ronaldo and his long-time partner, Georgina Rodriguez, in Ihram while praying at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, have sparked claims of their conversion to Islam. However, it’s important to note that these images are AI-generated, leading to the conclusion that the claims of their conversion are false.
Claim
Nonetheless, the notion of Ronaldo and Rodriguez engaging in prayers at such a significant location highlights their interest in spiritual exploration and cultural experiences. This moment could be viewed as a reflection of their appreciation for diverse religious practices, whether or not it indicates a formal conversion. …CONTINUE READING
Fact
The viral images are AI generated, and thus the claim that footballer Ronaldo and his partner have embraced to Islam is false.
Viral Image and Claim
An X user who identifies himself as Adv.Nazneen Akhtar shared the image and wrote:
“Mashallah: The world’s most famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo adopted Islam and offered prayer with his wife in Haram Sharif…!”
The same image with the like claim has also been shared by other social media users also.
Fact Check
The fact check analysis of the viral image by NewsMeter found that the claim is false, as the image is AI generated.
The way Ronaldo is seen in the image praying also raises suspicion. Muslims pray facing Holy Kaaba, and this is the practice followed by Muslims around the world. However, in the viral image, the couple is praying in opposite direction, with their back, and not the face, towards Holy Kaaba.
Upon close inspection of the viral image, it can be noticed that in one of the images Ronaldo appeared to have six fingers on one hand – a common flaw in AI generated imagery.
Also, Ronaldo’s face in one of the images is seen distorted.
To further analyze the image, NewsMeter ran the image through the AI detection tool “True Media” and found substantial evidence of Artificial Intelligence in it.
Results varied while running the image through the Hive Moderation. However, it detected that one of the images likely contained 97.1 AI generated or deepfake content.
Upon searching the news report about Ronaldo embracing Islam also did not yield any positive result. However, some media reports citing interview of Ronaldo’s ex-team mate in a TV interview claimed that Ronaldo “shows a deep interest in Islam”.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the ace footballer, is currently playing for Al Nassr Football Club of Saudi Arabia since 2022.
Waleed Abdullah, who played for Al Nassr Football Club between 2017 and 2024 with Ronaldo, also claimed that the star footballer “genuinely wants to convert to Islam”.
But, there is no confirmation from any sources that Ronaldo has indeed converted to Islam.
Conclusion
It is therefore concluded that the viral images of Ronaldo and his partner inside Masjid al Haram in Makkah are AI generated.
And, thus the claim that he visited Makkah after converting to Islam is false.
[This story was originally published by NewsMeter, and republished with slight modification and edit by ummid.com as part of the Shakti Collective.]
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