Ronaldo ‘storms out of press conference’ leaves grinning Zidane behind

Cristiano Ronaldo walked out of a Real Madrid press conference in Rome on Tuesday after being asked a question about Barcelona trio Lionel Messi, Luis Suarezand Neymar.

The striker, who lost out to rival Messi for the Ballon d’Or last month, was appearing alongside manager Zinedine Zidane at a presser in the Italian capital ahead of tomorrow’s last-16 Champions League tie against Roma

Ronaldo appeared to become irritated when asked if it was the apparently close bond between the Barca stars that has given them a higher strike rate than him, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.

“That’s what you say,” he replied. “When I was at Manchester United with Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand, we only said ‘good morning’ and ‘good night’ and we were formidable on the pitch.

“We don’t give each other kisses and hugs. I don’t have to go to dinner with Bale or Benzema or invite them to my house. What’s important is our understanding on the pitch. Little meals or kisses and hugs don’t mean anything.”

The final straw came when a journalist queried Ronaldo’s run of four away games without a goal ahead of the fixture at the Stadio Olimpico.

He answered: “Can you name one player who has scored more away from home than me since I’ve been in Spain? No, you can’t, there aren’t any. Bye everyone.”

Ronaldo then exited the press conference, leaving a grinning Zidane to complete the Q&A session.