A smiling Cristiano Ronaldo has accepted a huge fine and suspended jail sentence for tax fraud after a deal with Spanish prosecutors.
The Portugal and Juventus star, 33, will pay a total of 18.8million euros (£16.9million) after pleading guilty at a hearing in Madrid this morning.
Ronaldo, who went to court with his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez, also received a 23-month prison sentence but as a first-time offender for a non-violent crime he will not spend a day in jail.
His former Real Madrid team-mate Xabi Alonso is also in court on a separate tax evasion charge, which could lead to a five-year sentence that - unlike Ronaldo - may see him behind bars if he is found guilty.
Ronaldo, who left Madrid last summer to join Juventus, wore a black jacket with buttons, white trainers and dark sunglasses as he arrived at court with his girlfriend.
Ronaldo's lawyers had asked that he be allowed to enter the building by car to avoid the media spotlight.
But the court president refused the request, saying that despite his 'great fame', he would not 'compromise security' at the building.
The former Manchester United forward's request to appear via video conference was also denied, so he walked up the court steps today and even signed autographs.
The court appearance lasted around 40 minutes as the deal was officially presented to the judge, who will confirm the final sentence later on Tuesday.
-Dailymail