Not that he needs the money but world footballer of the year Cristiano Ronaldo has won substantial compensation in the form of libel damages from the Daily Mirror.

Libel is the English equivalent of what is known as defamation in Scotland and something is libel or slanderous when it is a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person.  Successful cases often attract millions in compensation for famous persons but as here the amount of compensation remains undisclosed as a condition of settlement.

This action arose when the Daily Mirror said that Ronaldo went on a “bender” at a Hollywood night club despite being on crutches and requiring an ankle operation.

Ronaldo took offence at the statement as it brought his professionalism as a footballer into question …..and in any event he is tee-total!