2018 was the most difficult year for Ronaldo on a personal level.

LISBON (Reuters) – Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo said 2018 was his "toughest" personally after being charged with rape before the US court put an end to his charges in an interview on Tuesday.

"2018 was the most difficult year on a personal level," revealed TVI the five – time world player of the year and the Juventus striker.

The former star of Manchester United and Real Madrid continued: "When people doubt your honor, it hurts. It hurts a lot because I have a big family, a woman and a smart child who understands a lot of things.

The US court decided in June not to accuse the player of insufficient evidence, although the record does not indicate he had agreed to a settlement.

US model Catherine Mayorga, 35, said that Ronaldo raped her on June 13, 2009 in her hotel room and lobbied her to sign a financial agreement. 2010 to keep quiet about what had happened.

Ronaldo, 35, entered into a financial agreement with her after the incident amounted to $ 350,000. A contract committing to not talking about what happened has been signed.

Mayorga contacted the police in August 2018 to request the reopening of the investigation, revealed the prosecutor's office. No charges.

Mayorga said last year that although she had a financial agreement with Ronaldo shortly after the alleged rape, she had felt emotional trauma that prevented her from taking part in the mediation process.

(AFP)