Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has been fined over 20 million US dollars for tax fraud. The charges stem from when he played for Spanish club Real Madrid. But he will not serve time in prison after a deal was reached between his lawyers and Spanish authorities. CGTN's Al Goodman reports from Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo loves the attention on the football field, where he's a star at the very top of his game. And when entering a Madrid courthouse on tax fraud charges, he put on a friendly face, accompanied by his girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez. But Ronaldo had earlier asked the court to let him enter quietly through the garage, to avoid this massive throng of reporters and cameras. Request denied, the court said. For Ronaldo, the courts and lawyers are an entirely different ballgame, where the Portuguese forward's prowess only goes so far.

He may have led Real Madrid to an unprecedented three straight Champions League titles. And picked up five ballon d'or awards as a global football standout. Or led his native Portugal to victory in the Euro 2016 cup. Or left Real Madrid last summer to play now to with Italian champion Juventus, for a transfer fee of about $110 million.

But the numbers that interested Spanish authorities were his unpaid taxes. In court, he signed a previously negotiated deal admitting to four counts of tax fraud from 2011 to 2014, while playing for Real Madrid, on income from his image rights. He got a 23-month prison sentence, but won't have to serve any time, as a first-time offender. But he'll pay $21.6 million in fines.

AL GOODMAN MADRID "Cristiano Ronaldo is on a growing list of football stars who've had run-ins with Spanish tax authorities over their image rights. Including former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric and longtime rival Lionel Messi of Barcelona."

And not forgetting former Manchester United and Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, who was in Madrid court two years ago for $3.6 million in unpaid back taxes.

Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't even the only player in court this day. His former Real Madrid teammate, Xabi Alonso, came to the same courthouse, for alleged tax fraud from 2010 to 2012. But reports say he rejected a deal with prosecutors and professed his innocence.

Reports indicate that most of the sports personalities facing tax fraud charges in Spain have, like Cristiano Ronaldo, opted to reach an agreement with prosecutors and tax authorities. To pay the back taxes owed with interest, and a fine. And to accept the additional attention at the courthouse even if it's not the kind they're most used to.

Al Goodman, CGTN, Madrid.