However, the Spanish superstar was clearly flummoxed by the question from a Chinese reporter during a press conference at the Hongta sports centre in Kunming and was heard muttering: "This is tasteless."

He recovered his composure to say he would make up for lost time when he got back to Madrid.

"Well, we're all professionals and we're working and we're only thinking about getting ready and that's it," he said here.

"We have plenty of time for sex and we have all our lives for that and two weeks is not going to kill us. And I'm sure we'll make up for lost time."

At the World Cup last year, the Real Madrid striker admitted that scoring both goals in the final had been better than sex.

"The World Cup is better than sex," he said. "Anyway, the World Cup is only once every four years and sex is not."

Ronaldo has since separated from wife Milene Nazario Da Lima, who is a football player. They tied the knot in December 1999 and have a son, Ronald Domingues, and a dog called Pichichi, which means top scorer.

Touching on more serious subjects, Ronaldo said he's feeling fit, dismissing claims that he piled on the pounds on holiday last month.

"I was on vacation for a month and I've just returned to training bit by bit," he told reporters following a morning workout here.

"My physical condition is getting better day by day."

According to some journalists in Kunming where Real Madrid have been training for a week, Ronaldo has appeared a little portly.

This contrasts with Spanish newspaper reports before he left Madrid for China that said he had in fact shed five kilos (11 pounds) over the summer break.

Ronaldo, who is known to enjoy hamburgers and fizzy drinks, has struggled with his weight before.

Last year, the issue became a major talking point in Spain.

The super striker said he's indifferent to the celebrity surrounding new teammate David Beckham in Asia, and made clear he's the more famous face in other parts of the world.

"If he's more famous here there are places that I'm more famous than he is," said the Brazilian, who is considered a national hero back home.

"Maybe I have won more titles, and maybe he's more marketable than I am, that could be.

"But for my career it doesn't matter. I don't see it as an important thing, it's a comparison that does not matter."

Ronaldo is a double World Cup winner and has been voted FIFA Player of the Year an unprecedented three times.

Until Beckham's move to Madrid earlier this month, he was considered the star-laden team's most high profile player, lifting Real to the Spanish league title with 23 goals last season.

Beckham however has brought with him from Manchester a cult following and has a fanatical fan base in Asia.

Ronaldo said he hopes the two click on the field.

"I follow what I want to do and keep on winning like I'm sure Beckham wants to win as well," said Ronaldo.

"I have been able to see that his passes are really good and I just hope that we'll able to understand each other on the field."

Real Madrid wrap up a week of training in southwestern China Thursday evening. They play a Chinese select side on August 2 before continuing their pre-season promotional tour of Asia in Tokyo, Bangkok and Hong Kong.