Brazil's Ronaldo finds 'fat' jibe hard to swallow

Brazil and Real Madrid striker Ronaldo found renewed criticism of his weight hard to swallow on Tuesday.

"You don't know how much I weigh or how much I eat," he snapped during a promotional tour in Lima after a reporter said he was a great goalscorer, a champion -- and chubby.

"Lots of times people make news up and this is one of them. I have been the victim of invented news. I'm still at my ideal weight, I'm still scoring goals, I'm still winning," he said.

Brazilian television commentators have openly described the Brazil number nine as "a little on the fat side" in recent months, angering the 27-year-old. Ronaldo has previously said his ideal weight is 194 lbs (88 kilos).

Flab or no flab, Ronaldo this month ended Argentina's unbeaten run in the World Cup qualifiers with a penalty hat-trick that put champions Brazil top of the South American group.

"I consider myself a football artist," Ronaldo told the news conference.

Asked if he compared himself to "metrosexuals" -- men who lavish time and money on their appearance and lifestyle like team mate David Beckham -- the gap-toothed, shaven-headed Ronaldo said: "No. I don't really have the looks."

Brazil will play in the 12-nation Copa America next month, although Ronaldo will not be taking part. Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has said he would rest his top players for the tournament as it clashes with World Cup qualifying fixtures.