Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has labelled Fifa president Sepp Blatter's comments on Cristiano Ronaldo's demeanour on the field as disrespectful.
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The 77-year-old described the Portuguese as being "like a commander on the pitch" and joked he spent more money on his hairstyle than Barcelona rival Lionel Messi in an audience with Oxford University students last week.
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Those comments have been met with fury in Madrid as Ronaldo aims to topple Messi to win the Ballon d'Or for the first time in five years after both men were nominated in the 23-man shortlist for the award on Tuesday.
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And Ancelotti confirmed that Real president Florentino Perez has sent a letter to Fifa asking them to rectify Blatter's comments.
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"It seems to me like a lack of respect," Ancelotti said on Tuesday.
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"I haven't spoken with Cristiano about it. Today he trained very well as he always does.
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"He shows every day that he is a great player. He is serious, professional and respects everyone.
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"I know that our president has sent a letter to Fifa."
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The comments were also met with consternation from the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) who said they had also already raised the matter with Fifa.
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"I can't, in any way, agree with the position expressed by the person who leads world football in his comments about the national team and about someone who is a symbol of Portuguese football," FPF president Fernando Gomez said in a statement on the federation's website.
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"Moreover, they seem unfit and inappropriate and clearly show a lack of respect for Cristiano Ronaldo and for Portugal.
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"Today we have sent the president of Fifa a letter where we ask him to clarify what is the true intent of his words, because under no circumstances can we understand that the president of Fifa could make such comments about a person who has given, gives and will continue to give much to Portuguese and world football."
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On the field, meanwhile, Real Madrid are looking to bounce back from their weekend defeat to Barcelona when they face Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.