PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has issued a statement denying that he criticised Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ibrahimovic denies insulting Ronaldo

Quotes recently emerged from the South American press, alleging that Ibrahimovic had been speaking negatively about the Real Madrid star .

However, the Swede has said he did not conduct any such interview while stressing that he has nothing but respect for Ronaldo.

He said on PSG’s official website: “I only have good things to say about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. I’ve never given an interview in which I said negative or insulting things about Ronaldo or Messi, two players I respect.

“I’m annoyed and irritated to be the victim of this sort of practice, that is to cite players as having said things they never did with the sole aim of stirring up controversy.

“I respect football, my team, my team-mates, and my opponents. That will always be the case.”