FIFA president Sepp Blatter has apologised to Real Madrid after club president Florentino Perez demanded he retract comments made about Cristiano Ronaldo.
Both Madrid and the Portuguese Football Federation took exception to Blatter's words after he was last week asked to compare Ronaldo with the four-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.
Speaking at the Oxford Union the 77-year-old said both players were exceptional but described Messi as a "good boy" before going on to say, in apparent reference to Ronaldo, that "one has more expenses for the hairdresser than the other".
The FIFA president then concluded by saying he preferred Messi of the two players.
And Blatter has since written to the Spanish Giants to apologise, insisting he regards Ronaldo an “exceptional player”.
The FIFA president declared his huge respect for the Portugal international before claiming his remarks were made in jest.
Earlier on Tuesday Ancelotti was quoted as having said on Madrid's official website: "I'm aware our president has sent a letter to FIFA asking to retract what I consider to be a lack of respect to a very serious, very professional player.
"I'm completely in agreement with our president.”
Ronaldo posted a link to the video of Blatter’s comments on Facebook and added: "This video shows clearly the respect and consideration that FIFA has for me, for my club and my country. Much is explained now.
"I wish Mr Blatter health and a long life, with the certainty that he will continue to witness, as he deserves, the successes of his favourite teams and players."
The Real Madrid forward has been named alongside Messi on FIFA’s 23-man shortlist for the 2013 Ballon d’Or award, with the winner set to be announced on January 13.
