Ronaldo slams 'cheat' Mascherano and claims Barca receive outside help

Cristiano Ronaldo has launched a furious blast following Real Madrid's Champions League exit - claiming Barcelona get outside help and accusing Javier Mascherano of cheating.

Cristiano Ronaldo: "Barcelona are a difficult team to beat because they get outside help"

Gonzalo Higuain's goal early in the second half was controversially ruled out last night as Real could only manage a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp, following their 2-0 defeat at the Bernabeu.

And Ronaldo, who was also incensed by the decision to send off Pepe in the first leg, is adamant Barcelona receive favourable treatment from officials.

"It's very difficult to beat a club who get outside help," said the former Manchester United star. "We knew we could beat Barca, but the referee didn't let us.

"Once again it was the referee that didn't allow us to dictate the outcome. The referee in the first match [Wolfgang Stark] took away our chances of playing the final.

"Whoever knows anything about football knows that Barcelona get preferential treatment. Barcelona are a difficult team to beat because they get outside help. Next year they should give the cup directly to them."

And Ronaldo also accused Barca players of play-acting, pinpointing his former Premier League rival Mascherano as the worst culprit.

"Javier Mascherano wasn't like this at Liverpool," he added. "He must have learned all these cheating tricks at Barcelona."