Chinese fans and media slam Real ace Ronaldo's behaviour at press conference
Chinese fans and media slam Real ace Ronaldo's behaviour at press conference
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The Spanish club are on a tour to China designed to promote the Real brand in the world's second biggest economy and tap into the burgeoning wealth of its 1.3 billion population, where football and European clubs are hugely popular.
Cristiano Ronaldo. PIC/Getty Images
But some observers said Ronaldo's behaviour at the press conference on Tuesday in the major southern city of Guangzhouu00a0-- where he gave often mumbled one-sentence answersu00a0-- could have the very opposite effect.
"He always seems selfish and arrogant," said Yan Qiang, vice-president of Titan Media, one of China's leading sports publishers, noting the flying winger is one of the most popular players in China, along with Kaka and Lionel Messi.
"His behaviour won't help his cause in China," Yan told AFP. Asked at the press briefing about the condition of his injury-prone teammate Kaka, Ronaldo, who became the world's most expensive player when he left Manchester United for Real in 2009 for ufffd80 million, answered: "Perfecto."
In an attempt to lift the mood, another Chinese journalist asked Ronaldo, who last year became a father, whether he changed his son's nappy.
"Of course, as a father it is normal to change the baby's nappies," an unamused Ronaldo replied in English.
And asked by AFP if he might ever return to United or English football, he said: "Maybe, why not? You never know." He was also quizzed about his interest in table tennis and whether he knew any of the Chinese players.
Asked later about his impressions of Guangzhou, he said that it was very hot. "The questions he was asked didn't have much to do with football. Chinese fans are different from European fans. Chinese are more into the personal lives of their icons," Yan said.
Later, Real thrashed Chinese league leaders Evergrande 7-1. Karim Benzema netted a classy brace and Ronaldo scored a cheeky back-heel. Sami Khedira , Mesut Ozil, Jese and Angel di Maria were also on target for the Spaniards.
Yang Yihu pulled one back for the hosts in the dying minutes of the game.
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