Ronaldo accepts "substantial" libel damages

Cristiano Ronaldo has accepted "substantial" libel damages over a false newspaper allegation that he had gone on a "bender" at a Hollywood nightclub.

The former Manchester United footballer also received an apology at the High Court in London over claims published in The Mirror in July last year.

According to Sky News, the court was told that the publication reported that Ronaldo had "gone on a bender" in LA while he recovered from an ankle operation.

In a statement issued through his solicitor, the 23-year-old said: "I am delighted with this outcome.

"I take training and recovery from injury very seriously and would never have 'gone on a bender' and danced in a nightclub without my crutches as The Mirror falsely claimed."

The paper suggested that the star had splashed out £10,000 on champagne and vodka for friends, having already drunk four glasses of red wine earlier in the evening over a meal.

QC Ronald Thwaites told the court: "The truth is that the events did not happen as reported. Although the claimant was in LA and he did attend the nightclub in question, he did not drink any alcohol at all while there. He does not drink alcohol because he takes his health, fitness and recovery from injury very seriously."