Brazil legend Ronaldo admitted to intensive care while on holiday in Ibiza

The World Cup winner is in hospital on the Balearic island

Brazil legend Ronaldo is in hospital on the island of Ibiza after being admitted with suspected pneumonia on Friday, though the 41-year-old former footballer has since downplayed the incident in a tweet.

According to reports in local newspaper Diario de Ibiza, the World Cup winner was taken to Can Misses Hospital on Friday evening with chest pains where he was seen by doctors.

Later that night, the Brazilian requested a transfer to the Nuestra Señora del Rosario hospital, owned by private health company Policlinica.

Ronaldo frequently spends time on the island of Ibiza when in Europe (Getty/iStock)

Staff at both hospitals refused to give an update on the 41-year-old's health for privacy reasons when contacted by Diario de Ibiza.

But the legendary centre-forward tweeted on Sunday afternoon that he had been struck down by "a strong flu" while in Ibiza.

"I had to be hospitalised on Friday but everything is in order," he added. "Tomorrow I will be given a clean bill of health and I'll go home. Thanks for all your messages."

Ronaldo owns property on Ibiza and frequently spends time there while in Europe. The former Real Madrid striker has had health issues in the past, suffering from thyroid problems that have affected his weight and also being struck down by dengue fever in 2012.