Ronaldo Reflects on Emotional Return to Old Trafford

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Ahead of Match Day-three of UEFA Champions League tonight, Cristiano Ronaldo insisted he is a happy man as he faced the press yesterday evening for the first time since allegations of sexual assault surfaced last month.

The former United star was accused of rape by American model Kathryn Mayorga, who claims the incident happened in a Las Vegas hotel in 2009 and that she was paid £288,000 to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

He has previously vehemently denied the allegations put against him and has dismissed it as ‘fake news’.

But now he has addressed them directly, insisting he is not going to lie and that he and his lawyers are confident.

He said: ‘I’m a happy man. We did the statement two weeks ago.

‘Of course I’m not going to lie on this situation. My lawyers are confident and of course I am too.

‘The most important thing is that I enjoy football and enjoy life. I have people who take care of my life.

‘The truth always come in the first position. I am good.’

The 33-year-old added that off-field issues do not affect him: ‘I know I am an example, 100 per cent, in the pitch and outside the pitch.

‘I always smile. I’m blessed. I play at a fantastic club, I have a fantastic family, I’m healthy. I have everything.

‘The rest does not affect on me.’

Ronaldo and his Juventus team-mates were granted a police escort as they arrived in Manchester yesterday night.

Earlier in the day, Jose Mourinho referred to Ronaldo as one of football’s all-time greats.

”Cristiano is one of the best players of all time,’ Mourinho said. ‘And nobody can tell different than that, he’s one of the best players of all time.’

Ronaldo and Juventus trained in Turin before flying to Manchester in the afternoon.

The 33-year-old has scored five goals in 10 games so far for Juventus since his £100m move from Real Madrid.

He was sent off in their first Champions League group match against Valencia and served a one-match ban, missing the victory over Swiss side Young Boys.

Ronaldo returns to the fold in Europe’s elite club competition with Juventus first in Group H, having won both their games so far.

UCL FIXTURES

AEK Vs Bayern 7:55 pm

Ajax Vs Benfica 8:00pm

Hoffenheim Vs Lyon 8:00pm

Shakhtar Vs Man City 8:00 pm

Madrid Vs Plzen 8:00pm

Roma Vs CSKA 8:00pm

Young Boys Vs Valencia 7:55 pm

Man Utd Vs Juventus 8:00pm