Ronaldo can handle tax scandal pressure, says Pepe

MOSCOW: Pepe says his Portugal and Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo can handle the pressure of the tax-evasion scandal clouding his club future.

Spanish authorities accuse Ronaldo of evading 14.7 million euros ($16.5m) in tax and he has been summoned to appear in court next month in Madrid.

The four-time Ballon d’Or winner has protested his innocence and threatened to leave Real over the matter.

Despite the off-field disruption, Ronaldo picked up the man-of-the-match award in Portugal’s opening 2-2 draw with Mexico on Sunday.

The tax storm has followed him to Russia and Ronaldo’s future is the hot subject at each Portugal press conference, but Pepe says he is focused on the job.

“We’re professionals, we just think about doing our best and going as far as we can at this Confederations Cup,” said Pepe, who is out of contract at Real.

“It’s a privilege to be here and Cristiano is just another player motivated to help Portugal as he always has done.”