Cristiano Ronaldo told a Spanish court he “would like to return to England” due to his tax troubles in Spain, Spanish radio station
Cadena Ser reported on Saturday.
The Real Madrid star was called to testify in
court on Monday over accusations he
evaded 14.7 million euros ($17.3 million) in
tax on his image rights via a complicated
web of shell companies based in the British
Virgin Islands and Ireland.
However, Ronaldo has insisted he did not
create a “special structure” to manage his
image rights when he moved to Real in
2009 but simply maintained the one set up
in 2004 while he was at Manchester United.
That structure had been recommended to
the Portuguese captain by United via their
specialist sports lawyer Chris Farnell.
“Chris told me it was what all the footballers
did and I didn’t want to be an exception,”
Ronaldo added in court.
“On the field I always want to be an
exception, but off it I want to be like
everyone else.”
If Ronaldo is found guilty he faces a fine of
at least 28 million euros and potentially a
three-and-a half year jail term, according to
the Gestha union of experts at Spain’s Inland
Revenue.
However, despite being just the latest in a
series of high-profile players to be
investigated over their image rights in
recent years, Ronaldo believes he is being
targeted due to his fame.
“If I wasn’t called Cristiano Ronaldo I
wouldn’t be here,” Ronaldo also reportedly
told the court according to Spanish media.
The four-time World Player of the Year
posted on social media site Instagram on
Tuesday: “What bothers people is my
brilliance, insects only attack lamps that
shine!!!!”
Ronaldo will return to training with his
Madrid teammates later on Saturday for the
first time since lifting the Champions League
final in June.
Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane had given
Ronaldo an extended break due to his
participation in the Confederations Cup with
Portugal and his court appearance.
