Cristiano Ronaldo breaks silence over rape claims in first interview since allegation

Portugal and Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo [Courtesy]

Cristiano Ronaldo has addressed the alleged rape claims made against him in a press conference ahead of Juventus' Champions League clash with Manchester United.

The Portuguese, who insisted the allegation against him is not a distraction as he prepares for Tuesday match, told reporters: "I'm a happy man. We did the statement two weeks ago.

"Of course I'm not going to lie on this situation. My lawyers are confident and of course, I am too. The most important thing is that I enjoy football and enjoy life. I have people who take care of my life. The truth always comes in the first position."

He added: "I know I am an example, 100 per cent, in the pitch and outside the pitch. I always smile. I'm blessed. I play at a fantastic club, I have a fantastic family and I’m healthy. I have everything. The rest does not affect me."

Former model Kathryn Mayorga has accused the Juventus superstar of attempting to have non-consensual sexual intercourse with her in a hotel room in 2009, when he was at Real Madrid - allegations denied by the player's legal team as "blatantly illegal".

Mayorga met the 33-year-old footballer inside the VIP area of Rain nightclub where she was working at the Palms Casino Resort. Ronaldo, then 24, was on holiday with his brother-in-law and cousin.

Mayorga, who is now 34, claims Ronaldo’s legal team paid her $375,000 in hush money to silence her - which Ronaldo's legal team have strongly refuted.

Ronaldo insisted the allegation against him is not a distraction [Courtesy]

Now she has launched a lawsuit to void the settlement and take action against the former Manchester United forward.

Ronaldo's lawyer Christian Schertz said in a statement: "It violates the personal rights of our client Cristiano Ronaldo in an exceptionally serious way. This is an inadmissible reporting of suspicions in the area of privacy."