EXCLUSIVE: Ronaldo comes out fighting! United star insists he is no diver in row with Larsson

Published: 27 Mar 2009 - 17:03:09

Rss feed

EXCLUSIVE: Ronaldo comes out fighting! United star insists he is no diver in row with Larsson

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has come out fighting by insisting he is not a diver. The World Player of the Year has been under scrutiny again this season after being accused of making a meal of challenges. And former United team-mate Henrik Larsson came out this week to brand Ronaldo a diver ahead of Sweden's crunch World Cup qualifier in Portugal. Rough treatment: Cristiano Ronaldo is a major target for opposition players But Ronaldo, who will start for Portugal despite being pictured with a bandage round a slight calfstrain, hit back today with a stinging attack on the veteran forward. 'It doesn't bother me what Larsson says, because I know I don't dive,and that is all that matters,' he said. 'I may get kicked, but I don'tdive. It seems everyone wants to have a go at me over that, but I don'tcare. I know I always do things fairly.' Criticism: Manchester United old boy Henrik Larsson Larsson reopened the debate by revealing he intended making a personal plea to the referee before the game in Porto. 'The referee must be careful about Ronaldo's diving, and I will speak with him about it before the game,' he said the ex-United striker. Larsson: Ronaldo's a diver and I fear he'll sink Sweden's World Cup hopesWEB EXCLUSIVE: Even the stats are against Ronaldo as we reveal the Premier League's most fouled players this seasonReferees 1 Ronaldo 0: Officials will not make special case for United starEXCLUSIVE: United blame weak refs as battered Ronaldo plots his exitMANCHESTER UNITED FC