Ronaldo in Photo With Palestinian Scarf: Post Spread Online as He Retires From Portugal Squad

In depth

Palestinian activist Hani Thalgiya shared a post on Instagram marking Cristiano Ronaldo's retirement from the Portugal national team, presenting a photo that she claims was taken in 2009 at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, in which Ronaldo is wearing a Palestinian scarf. The post read: "To give you the scarf - a moment I never forgot."

The image spread on social media at the same time as the retirement announcement, and many users wondered whether the football star really supports the Palestinians. The circulating material claims the picture is authentic and comes from the Ballon d'Or ceremony, but experts and fact-checkers warn that it is most likely a fabricated image, part of a biased propaganda campaign.

So far, no confirmation has been published by Ronaldo or by anyone on his behalf that the image is authentic. This is an unverified publication, and the image remains in dispute.