Brazil legend Ronaldo has responded to Michael Owen’s tweet mocking his weight, with Roberto Carlos jumping to his old teammate’s defence.
Owen, 37, shared an image of himself standing next to his old teammate on the pitch at Santiago Bernabeu to celebrate Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2016 Ballon d’Or win – the player’s fourth title.
The ex-Real Madrid and AC Milan star did not take kindly to Owen’s attempted joke about his old teammate’s weight gain, saying he is “shocked” that his body is being discussed.
The caption to Owen’s tweet read: “I thought I was putting the pounds on until I saw my old mate Ronnie!”
But it was met with surprise by Ronaldo, who said in AS: “I am shocked as to how much importance my weight garners in the world we live in. I don’t know why it is so important, to be honest.”
I thought I was putting the pounds on until I saw my old mate Ronnie! pic.twitter.com/OeuWm23b9s
— michael owen (@themichaelowen) January 7, 2017
Another of Owen’s teammates from his Madrid spell, Roberto Carlos, who also lined up with Ronaldo for their 2002 World Cup triumph, offered his support for the Brazilian.
“I don’t like these type of jokes,” he said. “Ronaldo is a very good friend of mine and we have to be careful. The thing about Ronaldo is not about his body, it’s his heart, he has a very big heart.”
Owen and Ronaldo played together at Real Madrid during the 2004/2005 campaign.
But the former England striker would make a switch to Newcastle United for £17 million only a year after joining.
Ronaldo would eventually leave the Spanish capital for Serie A giants AC Milan in 2007.
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