With Cristiano Ronaldo being under investigation for allegedly raping an American woman in 2009, he has now spoken about how his mother and sister feel about the accusations.
Read: Ronaldo Addresses Rape Allegations
The Juventus forward is alleged to have raped Kathryn Mayorga in a Las Vegas hotel in 2009 before his team of lawyers and Mayorga's representatives agreed to a settlement of $375 000 (R5.5 million).
Mayorga lodged a case with the police in 2009 but did not reveal Ronaldo's name at the time. However, she went public in an interview with Der Spiegel recently, and Las Vegas police have now reopened the case against the superstar, who has continuously denied any wrongdoing.
"Of course, this story is interfering in my life," Ronaldo told France Football.
"I have a partner, four children, an ageing mother, sisters, a brother, a family with whom I am very close. Not to mention my reputation, which is that of someone exemplary...
"Imagine what it means when someone accuses you of rape, whether you have all that or not. I know who I am and what I did. Truth will come out one day. And the people who criticise me or seek to expose my life today, who make it into a circus, these people will see."
Ronaldo also spoke about how his family members feel about the accusations.
"I explained to my partner (Georgina Rodriguez, who Ronaldo has a daughter with). My son, Cristiano Jr, is too young to understand," he explained.
"It's worst for my mother and my sisters. They are stunned, and at the same time very angry. This is the first time I have seen them in this state."
