Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has claimed that he was happy to see Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo win the FIFA Ballon d'Or.
The Portuguese international beat Pique's Barca teammate Lionel Messi to the award last month, but the centre-back insists that he was glad to see his former Manchester United colleague triumph.
Pique told Jot Down: "He's got a reputation for being a tough guy, being above it all, so it was good that he had that reaction. He really wanted it, he'd suffered for it and he got it. I like that.
"I've haven't talked to him recently. I've changed my number a few times, just as he will have I guess, but if I've always got something good to say about him it's because I like him.
"People base their opinion on gestures or comments without really knowing anything. I should say that from what I've seen recently he's changed a bit, but personally I like the guy - he helped me a lot when I arrived at Manchester United."
Barca are currently second in La Liga.
Paul Gorst
