Viral but misleading: No, Cristiano Ronaldo does not appear in this video reading the Koran

A video circulating on social media, accompanied by a commentary, purports to show Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo reading the Koran. However, an investigation by Misbar, a fact-checking site, revealed that this claim is misleading. In reality, the video features Bewar Abdullah, an Iraqi national living in the UK, known for his striking resemblance to Ronaldo.

The video was originally posted on TikTok in 2021 by Bewar Abdullah with message for Eid al-Adha. Already viral at the time, this clip caused similar misunderstandings, fueled by social networks. The Misbar website has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo does not appear in this video.

This confusion is not without precedent: due to his striking resemblance to Cristiano Ronaldo, Bewar Abdullah has often been mistaken for the footballer, particularly since his move to the United Kingdom in 2019. British media have also reported the popularity of this lookalike, who continues to attract attention online. This case illustrates how physical resemblances can easily mislead Internet users, especially on platforms where viral information is not always verified. It is therefore essential to remain vigilant regarding shared content, especially when it concerns public figures.