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Associated Press

Cristiano Ronaldo is in the spotlight again, but this time not for his skills as a player.
Ronaldo was making the headlines before Portugal’s Confederations Cup debut in Russia, because of a report that said he wants to leave Real Madrid and Spain following allegations that he defrauded the country’s tax authorities.
The Portuguese sports daily A Bola published a front-page story Friday saying that Ronaldo was upset with the accusations made against him and that his decision was “irreversible.”
The newspaper published the report citing an unnamed source close to Ronaldo. The information could not be independently confirmed.
Madrid-based sports daily Marca said Ronaldo has told his teammates he will quit Spain, claiming he said “there’s no turning back”.
And the BBC quotes a “source close to the player” as saying Ronaldo is upset” at tax fraud allegations.
“He feels he’s honest, has good character and did everything OK,” the BBC quoted its source as saying.
“He’s very sad and really upset.
“He doesn’t want to stay in Spain. At this moment, he wants to leave.”
Ronaldo’s staff did not immediately respond to messages asking for a comment. The player did not talk to reporters in Kazan.

After the report, international media filled Portugal’s training session in Kazan, where Ronaldo trained normally with the rest of the squad. Portugal, the defending European champions, play Mexico on Sunday in their Group A opener in the eight-nation competition that serves as a warm-up for next year’s World Cup in Russia.
“Ronaldo is motivated,” young Portugal forward Andre Silva said. “He is taking this competition very seriously and is fully focused on training and on the match against Mexico.”
On Tuesday, a Spanish state prosecutor accused Ronaldo of four counts of tax fraud from 2011-14 totalling €14.7 million (HK$128 million). The prosecutor said Ronaldo used a shell company in the Virgin Islands to hide the true amount of income made from image rights, among other means of illegally reducing the amount of tax he paid.
Ronaldo has denied any wrongdoing.
“My conscience is quite clear,” Ronaldo said Wednesday as he walked from a Portugal team bus into Lisbon airport on his way to Russia.

Madrid on Wednesday issued a statement saying that it was convinced Ronaldo “will demonstrate his complete innocence.”
Ronaldo last year extended his contract with the Spanish team until June 21, saying he wanted to end his career at the club.
But Ronaldo has also publicly expressed his discontentment about being jeered at times by some Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, saying that it’s unfair considering all that he has done for the club since arriving in 2009.
Before the Champions League final two weeks ago, when Madrid won its second consecutive title with two goals by Ronaldo, the star forward said that he was never jeered while playing for Manchester United, and that he missed his time in England even though he loved living in Madrid and playing for Real Madrid.
He reportedly has a €1 billion release clause in his contract.


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Cristiano Ronaldo

Could ‘sad and upset’ Cristiano Ronaldo really be set to quit Real Madrid over tax fraud investigation?

Cristiano Ronaldo gestures during a Portugal training session ahead of the Confederations Cup. Photo: EPA

epaselect epa06031591 Portugal's national soccer team player Cristiano Ronaldo in action during a training session at Rubin Kazan training center, in Kazan, Russia, 16 June 2017. Portugal will face Mexico in a FIFA Confederations Cup Group A match on 18th June. EPA/MARIO CRUZ

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo attends a training session ahead of the Russia 2017 Confederation Cup football tournament in Kazan, Russia on June 16, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Real Madrid after tax accusations: report

Cristiano Ronaldo aboard the open-top bus during the Real Madrid’s Champions League trophy parade. Photo: EPA

epa06029074 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures during a training session at Rubin Stadium, in Kazan, Russia, 15 June 2017. Portugal will face Mexico in a FIFA Confederations Cup Group A match on 18 June 2017. EPA/MARIO CRUZ

Portugal national team forward Cristiano Ronaldo is seen upon the team's arrival at Kazan airport late on June 14, 2017, to take part in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup football tournament in Russia. / AFP PHOTO / Roman Kruchinin

Sport

Football

Superstar said to be furious with club over tax evasion investigation
