Ronaldo angered Real Valladolid fans by leaving a restaurant in Madrid unsteadily and slurring his words at the weekend.
Instead of signing autographs for fans who were calling his name outside, the legendary former striker went straight to a car with a waiting driver. He was helped into the car under a white sheet and covered his face with his hands as he sat in the back seat.
Local newspaper Diario de Valladolid reported: "Ronaldo was caught in a bad state when leaving a restaurant in Madrid. The president of Real Valladolid left with difficulty and had to ask someone to help him."
The incident has caused a reaction from Real Valladolid fans. As the club's owner, he has been the target of criticism after not appearing at home since the season opener last August. Meanwhile, he and his wife went to watch the Madrid Open tennis tournament at the weekend. The Real Valladolid Supporters' Association called on Ronaldo to sell the club after his actions at the weekend.
"This is the current president and largest shareholder of Real Valladolid. This video, apparently filmed on the day Ronaldo's club set a sad record of losing eight consecutive games for the first time in nearly 100 years of history, is going viral on social media. This is his legacy and what he cares about. Let the world see his image, our Real Valladolid is not dying, it is being killed, and every day that passes without a sale, the situation gets worse," the fan club's post read, along with a video of Ronaldo staggering out of a restaurant in Madrid.
However, some fans defended "Alien". Responding to the suggestion that Ronaldo was "happier than usual", one person replied: "So what? How many of you aren't? Leave him alone. Everyone is free to do what they want, don't judge others. He was a great player." Another added: "He doesn't drive. He is driven. He spends his own money and doesn't borrow from anyone. He's retired and won't play tomorrow."
On Saturday, during a home match against Barca, Real Valladolid fans threw fake €500 notes with Ronaldo's face on them onto the pitch, demanding he sell the club. They also chanted "Ronaldo go home" at half-time with the home team leading 1-0. The match ended 2-1 in Barca's favour.
Recent reports suggest that the sale of Real Valladolid appears to be in the final stages after the Brazilian signed a preliminary agreement to transfer ownership. However, a confidentiality clause prevents further details from being revealed until later this month.
Ronaldo has not commented on the video of him leaving the restaurant in Madrid on his personal page.
Ronaldo, whose full name is Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, is a legend in Brazilian and world football. The former striker, born in 1976, is widely loved by fans and is nicknamed "The Alien". He played for Barca, Inter, Real, and Milan at his peak before retiring from his hometown club Corinthians in 2011. Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or twice, won the World Cup twice with Brazil (1994 and 2002), but has never won the Champions League. After retiring, Ronaldo did not pursue a coaching or commentary career like his colleagues but instead "had a good hand" in business in media and real estate.
(According to The Sun)