Instagram sued over illegal ads featuring Cristiano Ronaldo
Image Credits: Imago Images
Manchester United’s players continue to dominate headlines during the World Cup, with performances and off-field stories creating plenty of discussion.
International tournaments often bring increased scrutiny, especially for high-profile figures representing their countries on the biggest stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo has found himself under attention after Portugal’s opening match.
Ronaldo remains a key figure for his nation, but criticism has followed his display in a disappointing result.
Now, a separate controversy involving Ronaldo’s image has added another layer to the conversation.
Cristiano Ronaldo has become involved in a wider controversy after a deepfake gambling advertisement used his identity.
The Dutch Gaming Authority (Ksa) has revealed a major rise in illegal gambling promotions online, reporting almost 5,000 adverts to Meta in April 2026 before that number increased dramatically to more than 25,000 in May, as reported by De Telegraaf.
According to the regulator, illegal operators are frequently using the names, images, and logos of famous athletes and major brands to make their promotions appear trustworthy.
One of the latest examples involved a fake advertisement featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, where artificial intelligence was used to make it appear as though the Portugal star was promoting gambling products.
A similar case previously circulated involving Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk, highlighting the growing issue of fake celebrity endorsements online.
The Ronaldo situation comes at a time when the forward is already facing questions after Portugal’s opening World Cup match ended in a draw against DR Congo.
The veteran attacker will be looking to respond in Portugal’s next fixture against Uzbekistan later today as his team searches for a stronger performance.
Meanwhile, Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has also been pulled into the discussion after his display was criticised following the same match.
Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro appeared to support criticism aimed at Fernandes by liking an Instagram post from a Brazilian football page.
The post featured the United star and analysed his performance against DR Congo, comparing his impact unfavourably to Barcelona winger Raphinha.
The rise of AI-generated content has increased concerns around how easily public figures can be falsely connected to products or services without their approval.
The European Digital Services Act places responsibility on major online platforms such as Meta to tackle illegal content, but trade association VNLOK believes enough action has not been taken.
The organisation argues that online platforms are allowing the illegal gambling market to expand while exposing users to greater risks.
VNLOK is now taking legal action against Meta and has filed a complaint with the European Commission over the issue.
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