SOCCER superstar Ronaldo cried foul when three hookers he booked turned out to be BLOKES.

The AC Milan striker spotted they had the wrong tackle and gave them the red card from his hotel room.

But the trio of transvestites saw a chance to net some cash. They claimed Brazilian Ronaldo back in Rio de Janeiro recovering from a knee injury had used drugs with them.

One even demanded £15,000 in hush money.

All four ended up in a police station after rowing in the early hours.

But last night inspector Carlos Augusto Nogueira said Ronaldo was in the clear and may have been the target of a blackmail plot.

He said: "He just wanted to have fun and meet some other people outside his usual environment. He is quite shocked. He told me he is suffering some psychological problems as a result of his injury."

Ronaldo, 31, had offered the hookers £300 to keep quiet even though prostitution is legal in Brazil.

Two were identified as a brunette named Andre Albertini and a burly blond calling himself Carla.

Albertini showed newsmen a car registration document in the stars full name of the name of Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima left as a guarantee of payment.

Ronaldos press spokesman released a statement insisting: "As a result of recent happenings and with the objective of clearing things up, the athlete Ronaldo never used drugs and has no personal criminal record and has been victim of an extortion. He appreciates the decency of the authorities that are dealing with the issue, and if necessary he will take action."

Former Real Madrid and Inter Milan star Ronaldo has had surgery on his left knee and hopes to be back in action in six months.

His career has been blighted by injury but that has not stopped him winning two World Cups with Brazil, in 1994 and 2002.

In the second tournament he scored eight goals including two in the final against Germany.