Blatter apologises to Ronaldo

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has apologised to Cristiano Ronaldo in a bid to diffuse the bizarre row which has erupted between the pair.

The Real Madrid forward and his club interpreted comments made by Blatter in an address to the Oxford Union last week as a slight on the player.

Ronaldo apparently felt Blatter was mocking him after being asked to compare the Portugal international with Lionel Messi.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti claimed Blatter’s behaviour showed a “lack of respect” and revealed the Spanish giants had been in touch with the world governing body asking for a retraction.

Blatter said both players were exceptional but described Messi as a “good boy” before going on to say, in apparent reference to Ronaldo, that “one has more expenses for the hairdresser than the other”.

The FIFA president then concluded by saying he preferred Messi of the two players.

In response, Ronaldo posted on his official Facebook page, alongside a video clip of Blatter’s comments: “This video shows clearly the respect and consideration that FIFA has for me, for my club and my country. Much is explained now.

“I wish Mr Blatter health and a long life, with the certainty that he will continue to witness, as he deserves, the successes of his favourite teams and players.”

Dear @Cristiano. I apologise if you were upset by my light-hearted answer at private event on Friday. I never meant to offend you. (1/2)

— Joseph S Blatter (@SeppBlatter) October 29, 2013

Blatter wrote later on his official Twitter account: “DearCristiano. I apologise if you were upset by my light-hearted answer at private event on Friday. I never meant to offend you.

“I am an honorary ’socio’ at Real MadridCristiano & explained we’ve many talented players in world game, including you. Best wishes.”

Earlier, Ancelotti was asked about Blatter’s comments at his press conference ahead of Wednesday’s match with Sevilla, and was quoted as having said on Madrid’s official website: “I’m aware our president (Florentino Perez) has sent a letter to FIFA asking to retract what I consider to be a lack of respect to a very serious, very professional player.

“I’m completely in agreement with our president. I haven’t spoken with Cristiano about this. He’s trained very well today, as always. He’s shown every day that he’s a great player, serious and professional, respectful to everyone and he has to continue like that.”

Blatter’s original comments came during a question and answer session at Oxford University on Friday where he was asked about Messi and Ronaldo.

Blatter started off by heaping praise on Messi, saying: “They are both exceptional players but they are totally different and football is about the difference of styles, because Lionel Messi is a good boy who every mother and father would like to have at home.

“He’s a good man, he’s very fast, he’s not exuberant, he’s playing well, he’s dancing, he’s a kind man, he’s a good boy.

“And that’s what makes him so popular and naturally he will always get a lot of goals because he is this nice man, and he plays well and scores goals.”

Then, when appearing to talk about Ronaldo, Blatter said “the other one, this is something else. The other one is like a commander on the field of play,” before the FIFA chief stood up from his chair and walked across the podium in comic fashion.

Blatter continued: “But this is the other side of football and that’s good to have such commanders on the field also. Because you don’t have the same attitude, and that gives life to football and one has more expenses for the hairdresser than the other, but that doesn’t matter...

“So I cannot say who is the best. The list (Ballon d’Or) will be published on Tuesday, and then the public will make the choice.

“I like both of them, but I prefer Messi.”

Ronaldo and Messi were both on a 23-man shortlist for FIFA’s Ballon d’Or award which was announced early on Tuesday morning, with the winner to be unveiled on January 13 in Zurich.

Messi has won the award for the last four years, with Ronaldo finishing runner-up to the Argentinian the last two times.