Advertisement
Ronaldo is routinely booed by opposition fans during matches. Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP/Press Association Images
Abuse

'Don't hate me because I'm beautiful' - Ronaldo

The star says fans boo him because he is “rich, handsome and a great player”. He forgot to mention modest.

REAL MADRID STAR Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken out against the abuse he receives from opposition supporters on a regular basis.

Dinamo Zagreb were the latest club whose supporters targeted the Portuguese player as the subject of their vitriol, with Ronaldo responding by claiming he is the victim of his own success.

He says supporters boo him out of jealousy, and because he is “rich, handsome and a great player”.

In another complaint, Ronaldo said that he wasn’t afforded enough protection from referees.

“We are very happy with three points we took, but I’m not so satisfied with the refereeing,” he said, following Madrid’s 1-0 win last night.”

He also claimed referees favour other skillful players over him, complaining:

“I’m sad because I hear referees saying they will protect skillful players but, while some are untouchable, it seems I can be mauled.”

Ronaldo is also loathed by many football commentators. RTÉ’s Eamon Dunphy has branded him a “disgrace” in the past (see video below), while football columnist Rod Little once wrote in The Sunday Times (print edition) that seeing Ronaldo miss a penalty for United against Barcelona gave him “more pleasure” than the birth of his child.

His club, meanwhile, have enjoyed a fine start to the season. In addition to their hard-earned Champions League victory last night, Real sit top of La Liga, having gained maximum points from their opening two fixtures.

Watch: Fergie gets snotty with King Kenny’s daughter on live television>

YouTube Top 10: because Matt Williams and Neil Francis are really like that>