Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages from the Daily Telegraph at London’s High Court.
It claimed in July 2008 that he put an injured ankle at risk by “living it up” at a Hollywood nightclub while a Manchester United player.
The report that he put down crutches to dance with four models caused offence and embarrassment, the court heard.
The paper has accepted the allegations were false and apologised.
In a statement, Ronaldo said he was “delighted” with the outcome.
“I take enormous pride in my professionalism. I treat my training and recovery from injury very seriously and would never have drunk and danced in a nightclub without my crutches,” he said.
The newspaper reported that on arrival, Ronaldo “headed straight for” a nightclub and danced with the models before being served “£10,000 worth of Cristal champagne”.
However, Mr Dunlavy told Mrs Justice Sharp that Sir Alex and the club’s medical staff had been fully aware that the Portugal international was in Los Angeles on holiday.
“While he [Ronaldo] did attend the nightclub in question, he did not drink any alcohol at all whilst there, nor at any time whilst in Los Angeles. He does not, as a rule, drink alcohol because he takes his health, fitness and recovery from injury very seriously.”
Mr Dunlavy added that his client had not put down his crutches but had occupied a private corner of the club with friends, while drinking “non-alcoholic energy drinks”.
Ferguson, who said in a statement he had been prepared to appear as a witness to support Ronaldo, described his former player as “the consummate professional”.
