An African star playing in Europe has claimed he received angry messages from Cristiano Ronaldo fans after he broke one of the Juventus forward's records.

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Last month, Motherwell centre-back Bevis Mugabi, 25, scored with a towering header after leaping 75cm off the ground to find the back of the net in a 2-1 win over Ross County.

The defender, who was born in England, represents Uganda at international level, and has amassed 10 appearances for the African country since 2018.

Mugabi's incredible jump is reportedly 4cm higher than Ronaldo's famous header against Sampdoria last season, a goal that was lauded by the footballing world for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's remarkable athleticism.

Speaking about his goal in a recent interview in a documentary series called Inside Motherwell, the centre-back said that while he enjoyed the moment, his leap was met with fury from a number of Ronaldo fans on social media.

"It was a special moment, with the response it got on social media especially," Mugabi remarked.

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"But angry Ronaldo fans were DM'ing me, saying you didn't beat him, you were jumping horizontally... and I was just like, just enjoy the goal, let me have my moment and let me just live.

"But it was just funny looking at the comments.

"My family members in Uganda were messaging me saying well done and it's gone kind of viral there, so that made it a bit more special to me as well.

"It's so cringy, but from what people have told me – my family members, my cousins and that – I am pretty much a celebrity, but I don't really feel it because I'm here in Scotland, miles away from Uganda.

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"But I do feel the love when I go on international duty and the support that they give us is crazy."