Cristiano Ronaldo Clarifies Rumor About Alleged Photo Holding Nuno Mendes and Vitinha as Babies

In the midst of Portugal’s red-hot momentum heading into the next round of international competition, Cristiano Ronaldo took a moment away from training to address a curious—and viral—rumor that’s been sweeping through football fan circles and social media.

The rumor? That a resurfaced photo of a young Ronaldo holding two babies is actually a decades-old picture featuring current Portuguese teammates Nuno Mendes and Vitinha as infants.

📸 The Photo That Sparked the Storm

The grainy photo in question began circulating online earlier this week. In it, a teenage Cristiano—perhaps 17 or 18 years old—is seen smiling while cradling two babies in his arms. The caption added by internet sleuths read: “Cristiano Ronaldo holding future stars Nuno Mendes and Vitinha – a full circle moment?”

Fans exploded with excitement, hailing it as a “goosebumps” moment showing the incredible arc of Portuguese football—Ronaldo nurturing the next generation before they even kicked a ball.

But was it real?

⚽ Ronaldo Responds: “It’s a Great Story… But Not True”

At a press conference in Lisbon, a reporter directly asked Ronaldo about the authenticity of the image. The 39-year-old laughed before offering a candid and surprisingly heartfelt response.

“I’ve seen the photo—several times now. It’s funny, really. People want stories that feel magical. But no, those weren’t Nuno and Vitinha,” he said, smiling.

“I don’t even think I knew them back then. I was probably just holding someone’s twins from the neighborhood.”

🧒 What’s the Truth Behind the Photo?

According to Portuguese media outlet A Bola, the photo was actually taken in Madeira during a community outreach event when Ronaldo had just signed with Sporting Lisbon. At the time, he returned home to visit his family and was asked to pose for a local fundraiser.

The identities of the babies remain unknown, though some believe they may be the children of a family friend.

🤝 Mendes and Vitinha React

Nuno Mendes, 22, and Vitinha, 24—both standout performers for Paris Saint-Germain and mainstays in the national squad—laughed off the rumor in interviews after Portugal’s latest training session.

“I wish it were true,” said Vitinha. “It would’ve made for a great opening scene in a documentary.”

Nuno Mendes added:

“If that photo was real, we’d already have it framed and hanging in our houses!”

🧠 Why It Still Mattered to Fans

Despite the clarification, many fans say the myth was still a wholesome reminder of Ronaldo’s incredible longevity and impact.

“Whether or not it was real, it felt real. That’s how much Ronaldo means to this generation,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Another wrote:

“Cristiano has literally seen generations of players rise—from dreams to teammates. That’s a legacy few athletes ever achieve.”

📜 From Baby Rumors to Brotherhood

While the baby photo may not be real, the bond between Ronaldo, Mendes, and Vitinha certainly is. The trio has been spotted joking during warmups, sharing words during games, and lifting each other on and off the pitch.

As Ronaldo enters what could be his final stretch with the national team, stories like these—true or not—highlight just how deeply woven he is into the fabric of Portuguese football, from legends past to stars of the future.