Cristiano Ronaldo, Alvaro Arbeloa Respond to Gerard Pique's Real Madrid Jab

Real Madrid's disqualification from the Copa del Rey after fielding the ineligible Denis Cheryshev was the focus of ridicule across the web, and no reaction drew a larger response than that of Gerard Pique. 

The Barcelona defender tweeted out a series of emojis mocking Los Blancos, but two of Real Madrid's leading men have responded to Pique's mocking gesture with words of their own.

"Pique seems obsessed with us," Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa said, according to Goal.com's Chris Davie. "I'll see him in a comedy club talking about Madrid. The last 10 years for Barca don't equal Madrid's history."

Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo opted to take a more reserved approach when discussing Pique's actions. 

"It's not worth talking about, I don't want to give free publicity," Ronaldo said, per Davie. "I don't speak about these things because it's a waste of time."

Despite the responses from two of Madrid's entrenched stars, Barcelona holds the upper hand for several reasons.

Not only is the Catalan side still alive and kicking in the Copa del Rey play after dispatching Villanovense 6-1 on Dec. 2, but it trounced Madrid 4-0 in an El Clasico on Nov. 21 at the Bernabeu. 

If Madrid wants to exact revenge against its Spanish rival, it will need to play with a renewed sense of vigor and purpose when the two sides meet on April 3 in La Liga.