Platini forgives Ronaldo

Michel Platini publicly forgave Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from the UEFA gala in Monaco at which Ronaldo was nominated for the trophy for the best player in last season's Champions League. "They said didn't come because he knew he wouldn't win, but he had a match for his club", the UEFA president said.

"He was playing with Real Madrid at La Coruña, it was a professional commitment", Platini explained.

"I wasn't surprised that Ribéry won, as last season he won everything with his club. Speaking as a Frenchman, I would like him always to play like that", he joked.

Additionally Platini said he could see nothing wrong with Gareth Bale's transfer to Real Madrid. "What difference does it make whether you spend €90 million on one player or buy three for €30 million each? There wouldn't be any problem,".

"The same argument comes up in every generation: Maradona, Ronaldo, Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo... The big transfers always get talked about, though the important thing is whether they are able to pay for them", said Platini, who expressed his concern about the new forms of ownership.

"I am much more worried about this new situation where players, rather than belonging to a club, are the property of companies. They are there for three days or three months and are then sold on. Often they sign contracts which you know they are not going to respect", he said