Michael Owen Ronaldo splitGetty

'I'm shocked!' - Ronaldo responds to Michael Owen's fat joke

Former Brazil and Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo has responded in "shock" to Michael Owen’s jibe about his weight.

Owen took to Twitter after reuniting with his former Blancos team-mate to honour today’s dominant Ronaldo, Cristiano, after his recent Ballon d’Or win.

Oscar: China can match Premier League

Article continues below

The former Liverpool striker wrote: “I thought I was putting the pounds on until I saw my old mate Ronnie!”

Reaction on Twitter was furious in defence of Ronaldo and Owen was widely mocked for being derisory about the World Cup winner's weight.

However, the ex-Brazil international, a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, has now responded, insisting that he remains perplexed as to the obsession over his weight.

“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,” he said at the FIFA ceremony on Monday.

Ronaldo also revealed that he did not speak to Owen after his gag, while Roberto Carlos - another former Real great - has hit out at the ex-England star.

"I don't like these type of jokes. 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," he added.

Advertisement