Cristiano Ronaldo responds to alleged homophobic abuse by Madrid derby rival Koke: 'I'm a f*ggot with a lot of money'

Ronaldo and Koke repeatedly clashed during Saturday's Madrid derby and are believed to have continued their feud down the tunnel at the Vicente Calderon

Jack de Menezes
Tuesday 22 November 2016 05:44 EST
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Koke and Cristiano Ronaldo clash during the Madrid derby between Real and Atletico
Koke and Cristiano Ronaldo clash during the Madrid derby between Real and Atletico (EPA)

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Cristiano Ronaldo was allegedly the victim of homophobic abuse during the Madrid derby after Atletico midfielder Koke was accused of calling him a “f*ggot” during Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory at the weekend.

However, Ronaldo is believed to have responded to Koke with a jibe of his own, with the Euro 2016 winner reported to have replied: “A f*ggot with a lot of money, you b*****d.”

The allegations have been reported by Spanish radio station Cadena Cope as the fallout from Real’s comprehensive derby victory continues to intensify, with Koke and Ronaldo believed to have clashed in the changing rooms after the match at the Vincente Calderon on Saturday evening.

They also collided on the pitch during a typically heated 90-minute exchange that saw the pair go head-to-head late in the match, with Ronaldo’s performance in the match doing the talking for him as his hat-trick ensured Real remain top of La Liga.

Reports in the Spanish media claim Ronaldo and Koke were at loggerheads once again in the doorway to the away dressing room, while they add that Ronaldo’s Real teammate Marcelo was also involved in a verbal exchange with Atletico defender Juanfran, in which the Brazil international is alleged to have joked at Juanfran’s penalty miss in last season’s Champions League final between the two Madrid clubs.

Juanma Castano, a reporter for Cadena Cope, claims that Juanfran repeated his homophobic slur when prompted by one of Ronaldo’s teammates, to which Ronaldo responded angrily and warned him of repercussions when they next meet.

Ronaldo is alleged to have said: “If we see one another in Madrid, let's see what I'm going to do.”

Ronaldo and Koke were reported to have continued their feud down the players' tunnel
Ronaldo and Koke were reported to have continued their feud down the players' tunnel (Getty)

The three-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is the heavy favourite to win this year’s award, also taunted Koke by questioning his side’s “bottle” after they lost both the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals to Real.

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