Mashable: The video is making rounds on TikTok and Facebook.

According to clips circulating on various social media platforms, a golden bike was gifted to Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo by the ruler of Saudi Arabia, reports The Khaleej Times.

The caption, which was posted on Facebook, reads "Motorcycle made of 22-karat gold, gifted to CR7 (Cristiano Ronaldo) by the ruler of Saudi Arabia.” Later, a 27-second video published on TikTok highlights the same golden motorcycle standing in a hall, and Saudi Arabia’s flag is right behind it in the background. Similar claims have been seen on Facebook too.

These claims have been made after the star moved to Saudi to play for Al Nassr, a deal which he signed on December 2022, making his official debut in January 2023.

Reports reveal that the rumour is false, as the motorcycle was not gifted to the star by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. In fact, the vehicle belongs to a Saudi motorcycle enthusiast.

According to AFP Fact Check, the bike was found on an Instagram account called “Faisal Abu Sara”.AFP found the bike is the same as they both feature a badge with similar inscriptions behind the bike’s seat. The page features multiple videos of the motorcycle, including pictures from bike shows.

When the publication looked for the keywords Faisal Abu Sara motorcycle and Golden motorcycle in Saudi Arabia, they found Facebook accounts that credit Abu Sara as the owner.

In 2018, a video published by the owner also details how he created the bike. “I’m from Saudi Arabia, we came here for a motorcycle competition. I built this bike, this kind of Hayabusa Suzuki, we built it ourselves. It is all coated with gold, 24 carats (...), all customised and handmade. We have already won many trophies, I have achieved many things, such as first place,” he said.

When AFP’s team reached out to him, Abu Sara confirmed he owns the bike for eight years and it does not belong to Ronaldo.