Cristiano Ronaldo will be available to play for his Italian soccer team on Sunday (AEST) as the global soccer star continues to fight rape allegations.
Ronaldo, who is facing a lawsuit in the United States, could play when Juventus faces Udinese in the Serie A Italian, according to coach Massimiliano Allegri.
“Cristiano’s doing well. I’ve known him for three months, but I can say that in his 15 years of his career he has shown great professionalism and seriousness both on and off the field,” Allegri said.
“He is ready to return to action.”
Kathryn Mayorga filed a lawsuit last week in Nevada saying she was raped by Ronaldo in Las Vegas in 2009. Police have also re-opened an investigation. Ronaldo has denied the accusation.
“It’s a delicate moment but he has large shoulders,” said Allegri, who did not definitively say Ronaldo would start against Udinese.
“I see him calm in training. Ronaldo’s professionalism on and off the field is indisputable.”
The 33-year-old missed this week’s Champions League match against Young Boys because he had previously been suspended after getting a red card in an earlier match.
However, he did play in the Italian league last weekend shortly after news broke about the allegation against him.
Juventus has been supportive, issuing a statement describing the Portuguese international as a “great champion.”
But sponsors Nike and video game maker EA Sports have expressed concern about his conduct.
Ronaldo started his career at Sporting Lisbon before moving to Manchester United and Real Madrid. He left Spain after nine years for Juventus in July.
Neither Ronaldo nor Juventus have addressed the allegation by Mayorga that she received a pay-off of $US375,000 ($A530,122) in 2010 after being put under pressure by the player’s “fixers” to keep quiet about an incident in a penthouse hotel suite.
– with AAP