Confused` French sports minister introduces Brazil legend Ronaldo as `Cristiano`

Johannesburg – France’s Sports Minister Valerie Fourneyron was left red faced, when confusing Ronaldo, the legendary Brazilian striker with his Portuguese namesake, Cristiano Ronaldo.

According to Sport24, it provoked smiles all round, with Fourneyron later posting on her twitter page that she was not much good with first names and was a little bit tired at the Brazilian embassy.

As she referred to in her tweet this is not the first time she has been caught out by first names and in August she called France’s triple jump world champion Teddy Tamgho ‘Thierry’, the report said.

Ronaldo, one of the 2014 World Cup’s ambassadors, played for Brazil in 98 international matches, scoring 62 goals, and was part of the side that won the 1994 and 2002 World Cups, the report added.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s participation meanwhile at the 2014 World Cup hinges on Portugal safely negotiating this month’s play-off with Sweden, according to the report.