The other side of Ronaldo: A look at the football star’s controversies
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most celebrated athletes in modern sports history. Known for his record-breaking performances and global influence, the Portuguese star has built a career marked by discipline, success, and ambition. However, his legacy is also shaped by a series of legal and personal controversies that have trailed him for nearly two decades.
From tax fraud to serious allegations of sexual assault, Ronaldo’s off-pitch narrative has at times stood in stark contrast to his carefully curated public image. Here’s a breakdown of the most significant legal battles and public controversies that have surrounded his career.
Tax fraud case in Spain
In 2017, Spanish authorities charged Ronaldo with tax fraud, accusing him of evading nearly €15 million between 2011 and 2014. He denied the charges but later reached a deal with prosecutors. In 2018, he received a two-year suspended prison sentence and agreed to pay a reduced fine of €16.8 million. As part of the arrangement, he avoided jail time under the condition that he would not reoffend.
Early sexual assault allegation in the UK
In October 2005, Cristiano Ronaldo was arrested and questioned by detectives from Scotland Yard’s Operation Sapphire team, which specializes in sex crimes. The arrest followed an allegation made by a woman who claimed she was seriously sexually assaulted in a penthouse suite at the Sanderson Hotel in central London on October 2 of that year.
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Ronaldo, then 20 and playing for Manchester United, voluntarily attended a police station in London. A second man, believed to have been present the same night, also reported to police but was not arrested. After the interviews, investigators reviewed the case and passed the findings to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Within days, the two women who had made the allegations withdrew their claims. Scotland Yard later concluded there was insufficient evidence to proceed with any prosecution, and the case was closed. No charges were brought against Ronaldo.
Las Vegas rape allegation resurfaces
In 2017, Las Vegas police reopened a 2009 rape allegation involving Ronaldo after the woman, Kathryn Mayorga, came forward publicly. It was revealed that Ronaldo had previously paid her $375,000 in a non-disclosure settlement, a payment his legal team confirmed, but framed as part of a consensual resolution.
Mayorga claimed the agreement was signed under coercion and sought to have it voided. The case was heavily covered by international media, especially after Der Spiegel reported on leaked legal documents outlining confidential communications between Ronaldo’s lawyers and investigators. In response, Ronaldo’s team strongly denied the allegations, calling them part of a defamatory effort, though the media and public opinion remained divided.
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No criminal charges filed in Nevada
By July 2019, prosecutors in Las Vegas concluded there was not enough evidence to prove the alleged sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt. As a result, no criminal charges were filed. Despite this, the woman later filed a civil lawsuit in 2018 seeking damages for the alleged incident.
Civil lawsuit and claims of misconduct
The civil suit filed in Nevada sought £56 million in damages, according to reports based on court documents. The legal proceedings took a complicated turn when the judge reviewing the case found that the woman’s legal team had used improperly obtained, confidential documents from Football Leaks. This misconduct heavily influenced the case's outcome.
Legal dismissal with prejudice
In 2021, a federal magistrate recommended that the civil lawsuit be dismissed due to unethical conduct by the woman’s lawyer. The final ruling came in 2022, when a U.S. District Court judge formally dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be brought back to court. The judge ruled that the misuse of privileged, cyber-hacked legal documents had undermined the legitimacy of the case.
No proven criminal liability
Across all investigations and legal proceedings, no criminal liability has been proven against Ronaldo. The dropped charges, dismissed lawsuits, and court rulings have cleared him legally, although the public scrutiny and debate around the allegations have never fully disappeared.
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Public image and divided opinions
Despite maintaining his innocence throughout, these controversies have had a lasting impact on how Ronaldo is viewed by fans, critics, and the media. While some see him as a wrongfully targeted celebrity, others question how fame and money can influence legal outcomes and public perception.
Legacy beyond the pitch
Ronaldo's athletic achievements remain undeniable, but his legacy continues to be shaped by both triumphs and turmoil. These legal and personal controversies have added a complex layer to one of football’s most iconic careers.
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