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Ronaldo 'embarrassed' by rape allegation

Alessandro Sabattini / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently facing a federal lawsuit accusing him of rape, said he's ashamed of the allegation.

Kathryn Mayorga says Ronaldo raped her in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2009. Police re-opened the investigation and requested DNA evidence from Ronaldo but ultimately decided not to pursue charges against the Portuguese forward.

The case is still active in federal court, where Mayorga is suing the 34-year-old for a number of grievances, including battery, emotional distress, and defamation.

"They play with your dignity. It's hard," Ronaldo said on "Good Morning Britain" in a recent interview. "You have a girlfriend, you have a family, you have kids. When they play with your honesty, it's bad, it's hard.

"I remember one day I was at home in the living room with my girlfriend to see the news and they speak about Cristiano Ronaldo, this and that. I listened to my kids coming down the stairs and I changed the channel because I was embarrassed. I just changed the channel for Cristiano Jr. not to see that they speak bad about his father."

Ronaldo's attorney admitted his client paid $375,000 to Mayorga to "maintain the confidentiality of their dispute."

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