Cristiano Ronaldo ’s ex-girlfriend insists he is not a rapist – and says she would testify for him in court. Spanish model Nereida Gallardo, 35, said the superstar footballer “was a courteous guy – warm and loving. He was always a gentleman with me”.
She added: “That’s why I was shocked when all this came out.”
Nereida, who dated the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid ace for eight months after they met in a club, said: “Cristiano treated me well while I was with him.
“He was never ever aggressive towards me – not even near. I can’t see him forcing or holding down someone. He is not an aggressive guy in bed.
“I’ve had partners who have been verbally aggressive or who liked to grab me hard and he isn’t like that.”
The couple split in August 2008 – 10 months before American Kathryn Mayorga, 34, alleges he raped her after meeting in a Las Vegas nightclub.
A police investigation at the time was dropped and she signed a £288,000 deal to never discuss the incident again.
But she insists she was bullied, wants the agreement overturned and has launched a lawsuit.
In court papers she says Ronaldo invited her to his penthouse hot tub, then he assaulted her before stating he “was sorry, he was usually a gentleman”. She says he added he was a “good guy except for the one per cent”.
Las Vegas Police reopened the case two weeks ago and Ronaldo, now with Italian club Juventus, could be extradited.
The star – who called rape “abominable” – claims Ms Mayorga consented to sex before they went back to the club and spent several hours together.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Kathryn Mayorga dancing
Ms Mayorga’s legal team are trying to talk to his other exes, including Strictly star Gemma Atkinson, Russian model Irina Shayk and US heiress Paris Hilton.
And they want to trace a woman who told police in 2005 that Ronaldo and another man raped her at London’s Sanderson Hotel.
The star was arrested but she later withdrew her complaint and he told pals he had been “stitched up”.
Nereida added: “So far I haven’t been contacted. But if I am, I would be willing to go and give evidence in his favour.”