Cristiano Ronaldo says he's silenced the doubters by winning the world's best player award
Tuesday 10 January 2017 13:54, UK
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo says he's silenced his doubters by winning FIFA's inaugural "The Best" award.
Ronaldo lifted the award at a star-studded ceremony in Zurich on Monday after a glittering year on the pitch saw him lead Madrid to Champions League glory and captain Portugal to their first ever major international triumph at Euro 2016.
However, Ronaldo's year was blighted by media reports in December containing data leaks which alleged he had hidden tens of millions of euros in British Virgin Island tax havens.
Ronaldo, 31, has strongly denied all claims of wrongdoing.
"There were many doubts, many campaigns against me from inside and outside football," Ronaldo told Spanish radio station COPE.
"They wanted to hit me from all sides and the truth is The Best was The Best and that is me, so I am very happy.
"They wanted me to feel bad, but as I have said 'he who owes nothing, fears nothing in life'. As always, I have shut up a few mouths once again."
The Spanish tax authorities have committed to investigating the allegations against Ronaldo and a series of other Spanish-based sports stars named in the "Football Leaks" investigation.
However, the four-time World Player of the Year insists he is calm and believes justice will be done in his favour.
"It bothers me because when you do things well, when you help a lot of people and I am going to mention the award for charity work, which is one of the best awards I have in my museum," he added.
"I have helped so many people and you do so many good things, but people want to hit you to camouflage the bad things that others do.
"It bothered me and it continues to bother me, but justice is always done in the end and so we are going to wait and see what happens."
