Cristiano Ronaldo blasts ex-team-mate over x-rated joke

In October 2023, Kylian Mbappe, while recovering from an injury, opted to spend time in Stockholm, Sweden. During his trip, a rape allegation surfaced in connection to the hotel where he was staying. The Swedish media linked him to the investigation, although no official names were mentioned. Mbappe dismissed the allegations as 'slanderous' and claimed he had not received any legal summons. He expressed his surprise regarding the investigation during an interview, stating that he was in the company of many individuals, including journalists, during his stay. His legal representative asserted that he was 'flabbergasted' by the claims and reiterated his denial of any wrongdoing while stating they would cooperate with Swedish justice if necessary. Despite these challenges, Mbappe's exclusion from the French national team continued, with head coach Didier Deschamps communicating that he had discussions with the player about wanting to join the team. However, Deschamps made the decision to leave him out due to his recent focus on recovery and performance issues. This incident has drawn significant media attention and public scrutiny, especially due to Mbappe's stature as a prominent player. In a different part of the sporting news, Cristiano Ronaldo responded sharply to former teammate Rafael van der Vaart about a joke pertaining to Ronaldo’s commitment to training that unintentionally included crude comments. Van der Vaart stated that he had never seen Ronaldo's penis because the player was always busy with training and leaving the shower quickly. This commentary, shared in a light-hearted manner, nonetheless caught Ronaldo’s attention, prompting him to issue a brutal response on his Instagram. The remarks from van der Vaart about Ronaldo's rigorous training regimen highlight how the Portuguese player has been viewed over his career as a professional with an extraordinary dedication to the sport. Ronaldo’s achievements at Real Madrid and his continued impact in football juxtapose the serious allegations facing other players in the sport, showcasing how athletes can find themselves in very different narratives. The allegations against Mbappe and his subsequent denial pose questions regarding the media's role in such situations, and the balance between a player's reputation and the justice system's processes.