Cristiano Ronaldo has defended accusations his relationship with teammate Gareth Bale has broken down.
The Portuguese showed his frustration with the Welshman in Real Madrid’s last two games, throwing up his arms in despair when Bale declined to pass to him when he was much better positioned in front of goal.
However, speaking to journalists after picking up his third Ballon d’Or award in Zurich on Monday night, he said there is no friction between the pair.
“On the pitch you can have an impulsive reaction at any time and Gareth is very important for Real Madrid.
“These are things that can happen in any match, but there is no problem between us and our relationship is great,” said Ronaldo, who also stressed he has no problem with FIFA President Sepp Blatter and President of UEFA Michel Platini, who have shown their preference for other players to lift the Ballon d’Or in recent years.
“They have their opinions and we must respect them. As has been demonstrated again, the people, the captains and the national team bosses carry a lot of weight, so in that respect I’m relaxed.”
Ronaldo also pointed out that when he said in his acceptance speech he wanted to exceed Lionel Messi’s four awards it was “meant as a joke” and winning the award is not an obsession.
“I’m not infatuated with it [the Ballon d’Or]. When you work intensively then things happen naturally and anything is possible. The first thing I want is to help Real Madrid win titles, that’s the most important thing.
“In 2015 I want to extend our winning run of trophies. I know it will be difficult but we live in the hope we can always improve on something,” he maintained.
