Cristiano Ronaldo says he will ‘stay quiet’ over tax fraud scandal… as he looks focused in Portugal training
Portugal are in Russia ahead of the Confederations Cup, with team-mate Bruno Alves saying there are 'no words' to describe his respect for CR7
CRISTIANO RONALDO says he will "stay quiet" over his tax fraud scandal - as he looks focused in Portugal training.
Since allegations surfaced that the superstar swindled Spain's tax bureau out of a staggering £14.7million, he has been tight-lipped.
The Real Madrid forward, 32, has been accused by Madrid’s regional state prosecutor of four counts of tax fraud relating to considerable image rights payments.
The prosecutor alleged he used an off-shore company to hide a portion of his income from the tax office.
But that was until yesterday, when a statement from Ronaldo’s management company Gestifute insisted the global superstar has acted in accordance with British and Spanish tax laws.
And he spoke very briefly after a training session with his national time, where he said he had a "clear conscience".
And next to a photo of himself pressing his finger to his lips, Ronaldo wrote: "Sometimes the best answer it's to be quiet."
As is Ronaldo's way, he is content to do all the talking on the pitch with Portugal at the Confederations Cup, training in Kazan today ahead of the opener against Mexico on Sunday.
He will play for his Euro 2016 winning country alongside each of the six regional national champions from around the world - as well as the World Cup holder and the hosts.
most read in football
The competition is being held in Russia and is designed to be a dress rehearsal for the World Cup next year.
And Ronaldo unsurprisingly looked the centre of attention alongside Manchester City's new signing Bernardo Silva as they discussed tactics with head coach Fernando Santos.
Veteran defender and Ronaldo's Portugal team-mate Bruno Alves heaped praise on Ronaldo in the face of the allegations.
The 90-cap man, who will play in the tournament aged 35 said: "There are no words for my respect for Cristiano Ronaldo. He wins everything he enters. He is an absolute idol... even for us players too."