Tuesday, 29 October 2013

Ronaldo responds angrily to Blatter’s comments

Ronaldo responds angrily to Blatter’s
comments
on october 29, 2013 at 9:23 pm in sports
MADRID (AFP) – Real Madrid forward Cristiano
Ronaldo has responded angrily to a video of FIFA
president Sepp Blatter imitating him and describing
him as a “commander on the field.”
Speaking at an event at Oxford University last
week, Blatter said he preferred four-time World
Player of the Year Lionel Messi to Ronaldo, who he
claimed spends more money on his hairstyle than
the Argentine.
Ronaldo has finished second to Messi in three of the
last four years in the voting for the Ballon d’Or,
although the Portuguese did win the award whilst
still at Manchester United in 2008.
Blatter
And both men were once again selected in the
shortlist of 23 for this year’s award which was
released on Tuesday.
“This video shows clearly the respect and
consideration that FIFA has for me, for my club and
my country,” Ronaldo said on his official Facebook
page.
“Much is explained now. I wish Mr. Blatter health
and a long life, with the certainty that he will
continue to witness, as he deserves, the successes
of his favourite teams and players.”
The comments also enraged Ronaldo’s club and
country as both Real Madrid and the Portuguese
Football Federation (FPF) sent letters to FIFA to
complain about Blatter’s conduct.
However, in a reply to Madrid, published on the
club’s website, Blatter defended his comments and
said he believes Ronaldo is on a par with Messi as a
player.
“In response to a question about Lionel Messi and
Cristiano Ronaldo, the moderator asked me to
choose between one of the two and, in this moment
having commented that Messi is the type of son all
mothers would like to have, I ended up saying his
name.
“However, I want to make it clear that for me
Cristiano Ronaldo is at the same level as Messi and
that they are both exceptional players, each one in
their own way.
“It was never my intention to upset or show a lack
of respect towards Real Madrid, one of their players
or their fans.”
Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said the comments
lacked respect for a player he described as a “great
professional”.
“It seems to me like a lack of respect,” remarked
the Italian.
“I haven’t spoken with Cristiano about it. Today he
trained very well as he always does.
“He shows every day that he is a great player. He
is serious, professional and respects everyone.”
And a statement on behalf of FPF president
Fernando Gomes on the federation’s website was
even more damming of Blatter’s behaviour.
“I can’t, in any way, agree with the position
expressed by the person who leads world football
in his comments about the national team and about
someone who is a symbol of Portuguese football,”
he said.
“Moreover, they seem unfit and inappropriate and
clearly show a lack of respect for Cristiano Ronaldo
and for Portugal.
“We learned today that Cristiano Ronaldo was one
of the nominees for the Ballon d’Or, it does not
seem appropriate or adequate that the president of
FIFA makes comments saying which player he
prefers between one or other.”

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