

Real took umbrage over Blatter's response after being asked to compare Ronaldo with Barcelona's Messi while speaking at the Oxford Union last week.īlatter 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". Fifa said in a statement that Blatter had "confirmed in letters sent to Real Madrid CF as well as the Portuguese Football Association that Cristiano Ronaldo is an exceptional player – as he had already mentioned at the Oxford University event last Friday, and on many other occasions." He has also written to Madrid in an effort to defuse matters. 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."Įarlier the Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti, had described Blatter's comments as showing a "lack of respect" and revealed the club have been in touch with the world governing body asking for a retraction.īlatter responded on Twitter: "I apologise if you were upset by my lighthearted answer at private event on Friday. Alongside footage of Blatter's remarks, made in an address at the Oxford Union, 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.
