THERE is no animosity between Cristiano Ronaldo and Uefa president Michel Platini, according to the organisation’s spokesman Pedro Pinto.
Real Madrid were angered in October when Platini went public with his views on this year’s Ballon d’Or race, claiming that a World Cup-winning German deserved to take home 2014’s prize more than holder Ronaldo or four-time winner Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo was then seen walking past Platini as he prepared to receive his winners’ medal following Madrid’s Club World Cup triumph, as dignitaries shook hands with the players and coaches.
However, Pinto has claimed the pair had already exchanged pleasantries when Ronaldo collected the Silver Ball award as the tournament’s second-best player, and says Platini feels “sad” when he hears suggestions that he does not like the Portuguese.
“There was never any problem. Cristiano Ronaldo, before receiving the Silver Ball, had greeted Mr Platini,” Pinto explained to Diario de Noticias.
“When he returned to the stage to receive his medal with the rest of the team, Michel Platini was talking with Carlo Ancelotti, so Ronaldo passed him without acknowledging him.
“From our side, I can guarantee there is no controversy. I spoke with the president and he said he is sometimes sad to think people don’t believe he likes Ronaldo.”
The Ballon d’Or winner will be announced on January 12 at a ceremony in Zurich, with Bayern Munich and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in the final, three-man hunt with Messi and Ronaldo for the Fifa accolade this year.
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