Cristiano Ronaldo Responds To Accusations Of Assaulting A Minor

New Real Madrid signing Cristiano Ronaldo has responded to allegations that he injured a 17-year-old girl who had been following him as part of a paparazzi mission.

The teenager, who pressed charges against Ronaldo at Olaias police station in Lisbon, had allegedly followed the Portugal international around all day on Sunday afternoon in the company of a friend, 35-year-old professional photographer Hugo Martins.

"When Ronaldo arrived at Avenida D. Joao II, near his residence, he stopped his car and spoke with his mother for a few minutes," Portuguese tabloid 24 horas reported.

"When he realized he was still being followed, an enraged Ronaldo got out of the car and kicked in the window on the passenger side, where the young female was seated."

The girl apparently claimed later that she had been injured by a shard of glass from the car window. Ronaldo, though, pointed out that at the time she had no visible injuries. The girl called the police, whom Ronaldo waited at the scene for.

24 Horas further claimed that sources close to the police have confirmed that charges have been pressed against the player, who will now be obliged to give a police statement and present his witnesses for defence. This remains unconfirmed.

Ronaldo's Response

Meanwhile, Ronaldo has commented on this matter on the official website of Gestifute, the company that represents him.

According to the player, he was the victim of an "individual well-known to several Portuguese figures, who unfortunately believes the ends justify the means."

A statement issued by Ronaldo continues, "This incident involved an individual I had already acknowledged for seeing him days after days in front of my house, living off yogurts and always holding a camera in his hand, waiting for something news-worthy to happen, and whose frustration and boredom must have compelled him to change strategies.

"He chased me by car from the Ritz hotel to the Expo area, where my apartment is, with me being accompanied by my mother and him by a female youngster, who was provokingly and clearly filming our every move.

"This chase caused such a state of affliction in my mother that I was forced to stop my car to try to convince them to leave us alone.

"When I am alone, it's fine, I swallow it and try to stay indifferent. But when it is my mother that is at stake then, I am sorry, I do not allow that anyone, I repeat, anyone, upsets her.

"I am sorry for the gesture I made, although I could not swear that, if the same thing happens again, I will not react in the same manner, because when my mother is involved it is extremely hard for me to keep my presence of spirit."

The former Manchester United star explained that the pair had tried to extort him using the videotape of the happenings.

He added, "He immediately tried to sell the tape to the company that represents me, but I would never, ever, accept an offer that only has one name: extortion.

"When he was trying to negotiate the sale of the tape, his companion, who, despite having no visible injuries, was even in a hospital smock, which makes me think they planned to add several details to the little story that really happened.

"Unfortunately, I know that someday what they taped will be on some newspaper and that credit will be given to what they falsely want to add, because unfortunately, there are always buyers, people without scruples that continue to value this feeling of trying to do everything at all costs for their personal benefit.

"I am not like this. Because if I had bought the tape this matter would never have become public. But I know it will become public. Because I wanted it to, because that's the only way I know how to be in life," he concluded.

Luís Mira, Goal.com