Ronaldo returns fire, criticizes Pele for saying "stupid things''

Real Madrid striker Ronaldo criticized fellow Brazilian Pele on Wednesday for saying "stupid things," rebuking Pele for his comments last week in which he said the three-time FIFA player of the year gets "distracted."

"We don't need to pay any attention to him," Ronaldo told radio station Cadena SER after Madrid's elimination by Arsenal in the Champions League's second round.
 
The comments by Ronaldo come following a series of criticisms by soccer luminaries and jeers from Real Madrid fans, which have led the 29-year-old striker to say recently he may leave the 29-time Spanish champion at the end of the season.

Pele had said that off-the-field problems were affecting Ronaldo's career and his personal life had been "very mixed up".

"Ronaldo has shown he is a good player, and has won a lot of titles but he tends to get distracted," Pele said during a World Cup promotional trip in Shanghai, China. "He could have been a better player if he hadn't been affected by off-the-field problems."

On Wednesday, Ronaldo responded by saying that when he retired, he didn't want to be "a bitter type of person, making comments, saying stupid things."

Ronaldo said Wednesday this season "had been one of the most difficult years" of his life, yet gave no hint about whether he would continue with Madrid next season.

Madrid is close to ending its third season without a title, which hasn't happened for 50 years.