Sepp Blatter has apologized to Cristiano Ronaldo on Twitter after the Portuguese star reacted angrily, following some of the controversial comments made by the FIFA president.
Blatter was speaking at the Oxford Union last week where he was asked to compare Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo with Barcelona star Lionel Messi. Blatter said both are exceptional players but expressed his preference to Messi, claiming him as a “good boy” while in reference to Ronaldo added “one has more expenses for the hairdresser than the other”.
Naturally, such comments have infuriated Ronaldo and Real Madrid football club. At a time, when the 23-man FIFA Ballon d’Or nominees were announced, where both Ronaldo and Messi were included, naturally it drew controversy, as he concluded by saying he preferred Messi of the two players. He said as quoted in the Guardian:
“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.”
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 [Ballon d’Or] list will be published on Tuesday, and then the public will make the choice.”I like both of them, but I prefer Messi.”
The Portugal international wrote on his Facebook page:
“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.”
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has criticized Blatter for showing a “lack of respect” and revealed the club have been in touch with the world governing body asking for a retraction.
Blatter has personally apologized to Cristiano Ronaldo on Twitter. He tweeted:
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
I am an honorary ‘socio’ at Real Madrid @cristiano & explained we’ve many talented players in world game, including you. Best wishes. (2/2)
— Joseph S Blatter (@SeppBlatter) October 29, 2013
He has also written to Madrid to patch up the matter. FIFA said in a statement that Blatter had confirmed in a letter to the Portuguese Football Dissociation and Real Madrid FC that Ronaldo is an exceptional player.
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