Ronaldo criticizes Pele for saying 'stupid things'

Real Madrid striker Ronaldo has rebuked fellow Brazilian Pele for his comments that the three-time FIFA Player of the Year gets 'distracted'.

Real Madrid striker Ronaldo has criticized fellow Brazilian Pele for saying "stupid things," rebuking Pele for his comments last week in which he said the three-time FIFA Player of the Year gets "distracted."

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"We don't need to pay any attention to him," Ronaldo told radio station Cadena SER yesterday after Madrid's elimination by Arsenal in the Champions League's second round.

The comments by Ronaldo come following a series of criticisms by soccer luminaries and jeers from Real Madrid fans, which have led the 29-year-old striker to say recently he may leave the 29-time Spanish champion at the end of the season.

Pele had said that off-the-field problems were affecting Ronaldo's career and his personal life had been "very mixed up."

"Ronaldo has shown he is a good player, and has won a lot of titles but he tends to get distracted," Pele said during a World Cup promotional trip in Shanghai, China.

"He could have been a better player if he hadn't been affected by off the field problems."

Yesterday, Ronaldo responded by saying that when he retired, he didn't want to be "a bitter type of person, making comments, saying stupid things."

Pele's criticism was joined by former French start Michel Platini.

"Ronaldo isn't the player he was because he has too many years and he's carrying too many kilos," Platini said.