Cristiano Ronaldo has issued a pointed response to critics just a day after his court appearance as part of a tax fraud investigation, stating insects only attack lights that shine .
The Real Madrid star attended legal proceedings on the outskirts of the Spanish capital on Monday to face accusations he avoided €14.7million in taxes relating to his image rights between 2011 and 2014.
Ronaldo, who has always denied any wrongdoing, disappeared shortly after the session despite having initially planned to speak to journalists gathered outside the court in Pozuelo de Alarcon.
The 32-year-old later released a statement via agency Gestifute to insist he has never intentionally avoided paying taxes, adding he would not comment further until the case was concluded.
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Simone Inzaghi says Inter s destiny is in our hands after a 3-1 victory over Sheriff moved them up to second in Champions League Group D.
Marcelo Brozovic, Milan Skriniar and Alexis Sanchez were on target for the Serie A side at the Bolshaya Sportivnaya Arena, while Adama Traore scored a late consolation for the hosts.
The result meant Inter leapfrogged the Moldovan side into second, two points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.
After victory over Sheriff at San Siro a fortnight ago, Inter have now recorded back-to-back Champions League wins for the first time since winning their opening two of the 2018-19 campaign.
Let s say that this evening we improved our position in the group, now our destiny is in our hands and we must go into t…
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni celebrated a magnificent year after the Copa America champions qualified for the 2022 World Cup.
Despite a goalless draw at home to already-qualified rivals Brazil, Argentina booked their spot at Qatar 2022 after Colombia, Uruguay and Chile all failed to win in CONMEBOL on Tuesday.
It caps a successful 2021 for two-time world champions Argentina, who ended their 28-year wait for silverware by dethroning Brazil in July s Copa America final.
This was a magnificent year, Scaloni – who matched Alejandro Sabella for the country s second longest undefeated run in CONMEBOL qualifying amid a 13-game streak, said. Winning the Copa, qualifying for the World Cup unbeaten. It was a dream.
We got four points against two very …
Louis van Gaal is not convinced that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has changed Manchester United s style since taking over from Jose Mourinho and believes he is guilty of park-the-bus tactics .
Solskjaer has revitalised United s form and morale since taking over on a caretaker basis following Mourinho s departure in December.
Although consecutive defeats to Arsenal in the Premier League and Wolves in the FA Cup have dented their campaign, United have got themselves back into the top-four race and the quarter-finals of the Champions League under their former striker.
No decision on a permanent appointment has yet been announced, but while admitting that Solskjaer deserves credit for creating a more positive atmosphere, Van Gaal – who managed the club between 2014 and 2…
Eden Hazard is very close to a return to full fitness as Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane refuted suggestions the forward lacked professionalism.
The Belgium star has struggled to find his rhythm in Spain following his initial €100million switch from Chelsea in June last year.
He managed a solitary goal in his debut season at the Santiago Bernabeu as he battled to regain top condition after undergoing surgery on a broken right foot.
Zidane hinted that Hazard is primed for action for the first time this season, though stopped short of confirming his spot in the team for Wednesday s clash with Real Valladolid.
I think he s very close to a return, said Zidane. He is prepared and training well with the team.
The issue is that he hasn t b…
Estadio Deportivo is reporting that FC Porto defender Ivan Marcano is looking to return to Spain at the end of the season.
The 30-year-old left La Liga back in July 2011 and has since represented Olympiakos, Rubin Kazan and FC Porto, where he spent last three and a half years.
Marcano’s contract with the Dragons is due to expire at the end of the season and the centre-back believes the time is right to return to Spain.
According to Estadio Deportivo, Sevilla and Real Betis currently lead the chase for his signature, but few more clubs are expected to join the chase as well.
Marcano has managed to gain plenty of European experience since leaving Villarreal, having featured in 34 Champions League matches and 26 Europa League games.
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Ciro Immobile has ended an eight-year stay with Lazio after signing for Besiktas.
The Italy striker s exit was confirmed on Saturday, with Immobile leaving Lazio as the club s all-time leading scorer with 207 goals.
Reports in Italy suggest that Lazio are set to receive a fee worth up to €3million, while the 34-year-old has signed a two-year contract in Turkiye.
An agreement has been reached with the player and his club regarding the transfer of professional football player Ciro Immobile, the Turkish giants said in a short statement.
An agreement has been reached with the player for two seasons, starting from the 2024-25 season, and the player will be paid a guaranteed net fee of €6,000,000 for each season.
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Milosevic added: I believe they will be a little bit patient with him because of his age, but not too much, Madrid are a big club and they won t wait a long time.
Luka scored 25-30 goals last season and I believe Madrid are bigger with better potential. Madrid will create chances and if Luka starts well and collects confidence from the beginning, things could go in the right direction immediately.
Jovic joined his new team-mates following the European Under-21 Championship, where Serbia struggled in Italy.
Headlined by Jovic, Benfica s Andrija Zivkovic, Eintracht recruit Dejan Joveljic and Marseille winger Nemanja Radonjic, Serbia bowed out in the group stage after three losses – including a humiliating 6-1 defeat to Germany.
It raised further questio…
Having invited a 13-year-old Neymar for a trial that lasted 19 days and included 27 goals during training sessions, losing out on his signature to arch-rivals Barcelona in 2013 was gutting for Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
Neymar going on to form one of the most formidable attacking units in the history of football alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Camp Nou they accumulated 364 goals in a combined 450 games must have made Perez even more determined not to be beaten to the next South American prodigy.
It was therefore unsurprising that Madrid stumped up a reported €46million to sign Vinicius Junior in May 2017, despite the 16-year-old Brazilian having made just two first-team appearances for Rio de Janeiro giants Flamengo.
There could be no dou…
Louis van Gaal has taken aim at former employers Manchester United by describing them as a commercial club whose priority is money.
The 66-year-old spent two seasons in charge at Old Trafford before he was replaced by Jose Mourinho in May 2016.
Van Gaal successfully got United back into the Champions League in 2014-15 following their dismal campaign under David Moyes, while he also won the FA Cup in 2015-16, but a failure to finish in the top four that season and an increasingly dour brand of football saw a number of fans turn on the Dutchman.
The former Netherlands boss made no secret of feeling let down by United bosses when he was dismissed and has now accused them of being too concerned with their commercial appeal, unlike another of his former clubs, Bayern …