Tuesday 23 October 2018 06:16, UK
Cristiano Ronaldo says he knows he is a role model on and off the football pitch and insists he remains focused despite a rape allegation against him.
Ronaldo is accused by Kathryn Mayorga of raping her in a Las Vegas hotel in 2009. The Juventus forward has previously "vehemently" denied the rape allegation, saying he had "consensual" relations with his accuser.
Speaking for the first time since releasing his statement, Ronaldo outlined how the situation is being taken care of by his legal team and how the truth "always comes first".
"I know that I am [an] example. I know, 100 per cent. In the pitch and outside the pitch," Ronaldo said in the pre-match press conference ahead of Juventus' Champions League tie with his former club Manchester United at Old Trafford.
"So I'm always smiling, I'm a happy man, I'm blessed that I play in a fantastic club, I have a fantastic family, I have four kids, I am healthy, I have everything so the rest doesn't interfere on me so I'm very very glad.
"We did the statement two weeks ago if I'm not wrong, so I'm glad. Of course, I'm not going to lie on this situation.
"I'm very happy, my lawyers they are confident and of course I am too so the most important [thing is] I enjoy the football, I enjoy my life, the rest I have people who take care of my life and of course the truth is always coming in the first position, so I'm good."
