´Fat´ Ronaldo: Real silenced Ferguson

7 March 2013 17:03

Real Madrid legend Ronaldo has hit back at comments made by Sir Alex Ferguson, claiming his former side have 'shut his mouth for me'.

The Scot described Ronaldo as the 'old and fat one' when asked to compare the 36-year-old to his namesake Cristano ahead of the Spanish giants' visit to Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Although Ferguson stressed that his words were meant 'affectionately', Ronaldo was disappointed to hear the remarks at the time, and believes Real's 3-2 aggregate triumph in the Champions League tie was a suitable way to silence the 71-year-old.

"Real Madrid shut his mouth for me," he told reporters in Brazil.

Ronaldo had earlier this week responded to the issue at a promotional event for the 2014 World Cup, telling reporters: "I respect his opinions, I'm not pretentious as to expect that everyone will think I'm the best.

"I'm happy for what I achieved in football and for having been chosen as the best in the world.

"I feel sorry for the disrespectful manner in which he referred to me, it's something that's not good for someone of his position."

Ronaldo was widely revered for his impact on the pitch, with the Brazilian scoring over 400 goals during a glittered career that saw him win the World Cup twice and earn the accolade of FIFA World Player of the Year on three separate occasions.

Recently, the striker's legacy has been sullied by his well-documented weight issues, forcing the former Golden Boot winner to turn to reality TV to lose more than four stone throughout the course of the Brazilian show - a staggering feat that he jokingly claimed Ferguson was unaware of at the time.

"About my former figure, I have nothing add." he said.

"He clearly hasn't seen me since 'Medida Certa' (reality TV show)."