Scandal! Is Ronaldo funding the war?
Cristiano Ronaldo has found himself at the center of a shocking controversy involving Russia's war against Ukraine.
Details: According to an investigation by Ukrainian outlet Slidstvo.Info, the Portuguese football legend appeared in an advertising campaign for Chinese car manufacturer Changan Automobile, whose Hunter pickup trucks are being used by Russian forces to launch attack drones against Ukraine. The promotional campaign featured five Portugal national team players alongside several vehicles, including the Hunter model.
Investigators discovered footage published in July 2026 by Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov. The video shows Russian soldiers assembling and preparing Geran attack drones before launching them from a moving Changan Hunter pickup truck.
The Chinese manufacturer signed a sponsorship agreement with the Portuguese Football Federation in May 2026. Despite Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Changan has maintained and expanded its presence in the Russian automotive market.
Journalists contacted both Changan and the Portuguese Football Federation. The automaker did not respond, while the federation stated that the sponsorship agreement had undergone a strict compliance review. Importantly, the investigation does not establish that Ronaldo personally financed Russia's war or participated in supplying vehicles to Russian troops.
It is worth noting that Changan pickups had previously appeared in Russian military-related publicity. In January 2025, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov announced that five armored Changan vehicles would be sent to Russian forces involved in the invasion of Ukraine.
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Steven Perez
Dailysports's expert
