Portugal's Prime Minister has defended Cristiano Ronaldo following an accusation that he raped a woman in Las Vegas nine years ago.
Ronaldo has been accused of rape by Kathryn Mayorga, who claims the Juventus forward assaulted her in Las Vegas in 2009. He has firmly denied the accusation.
Ronaldo was left out of the latest Portugal squad but scored for Juventus in Saturday's 2-0 Serie A win at Udinese.
During a visit to Lanzarote, Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa was asked by reporters about the allegations engulfing Ronaldo.
Costa said: "People need to understand once and for all that there's one thing that is presumption of innocence. It is not enough for someone to be accused of something to be guilty of it.
"And if there's something we have proof of is that he is an extraordinary professional, an extraordinary sportsman, an extraordinary footballer, and someone who has honoured and given prestige to Portugal.
"And certainly what we all wish for is that nothing can ever stain that record of Ronaldo. So, to assume as certain what is a mere accusation, if you excuse me, one cannot rely on permanent public trials that took so many years to build."
Ronaldo's sponsors Nike and video game maker EA Sports have expressed concern about the allegation but Juventus have already pledged their support for their summer signing, calling him a great champion.
The forward is Europe's all-time leading scorer in international matches and helped Portugal win the European Championship in 2016.
UmeshBhatt
202
Great words from the great personality to the living legend. And i want to assert that you are not only a pm of Portugal, inspite of that you are also one of the talented man i had ever seen your words are great. Hats to you and we are always wid living legend cr7. 😘😘
daceort
192
Thank you Mr. President!!! Wise and true words. Thank you Ronaldo for what you did for Portugal. Ronaldo is a generous and caring human being. I pray God helps him to clear his name! Força Ronaldo!!
tacabemrt
165
Prime Minister Costa is right about a case taken ten years to build; we know the society Mayorga is from. they have been indoctrinated with the eagle's attitude_ feeding themselves at the detriment of others. Mayorga doesn't want to be seeing as beggar, so she and her defence council are using fraudulent and crafty means to beg Ronaldo for his money.