“I’m sad, when I don’t celebrate goals it’s because I’m not happy,” said Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring a brace in Real Madrid’s 3-0 defeat of Granada a week last Sunday. “It’s a professional thing. Real Madrid know why I’m not happy.”
This is a drama that has dominated the Spanish press for more than a week now, with the former Manchester United forward seemingly wanting more money, additional limelight, or his ego stroking depending on the source. Probably all three. Pundits across the country have lined up to offer their tuppence worth, while Madrid’s players have – to a man it seems – proclaimed that Ronaldo is far from suicidal.
Whatever the truth, there is no doubt the Portuguese is enjoying the attention; the man who “can’t walk past a mirror without checking himself,” as former team-mate Wayne Rooney put it this week.
“I’m sad, when I don’t celebrate goals it’s because I’m not happy,” said Ronaldo last Sunday.
“It’s a professional thing. Real Madrid know why I’m not happy. That I am feeling sad and have expressed this sadness has created a huge stir. I am accused of wanting more money, but one day it will be shown that this is not the case.
“At this point, I just want to guarantee to the Real Madrid fans that my motivation, dedication, commitment and desire to win all competitions will not be affected. I have too much respect for myself and for Real Madrid to ever give less to the club than all I am capable of.”
Not that United has been left out of the fun, with the Mirror reporting that Reds manager Sir Alex Ferguson has demanded the Glazers ‘bring Ronaldo home’ – whatever the astronomical cost. Adding to the intrigue, there is little secret that Ronaldo is in regular communication with both Ferguson and United’s players; a superstar whose dream in Madrid turned out to be less than fluffy clouds of eternal bliss, despite 151 goals in 150 appearances for Los Merengues. Ronaldo has found fortune in Madrid, but not the unsated adoration he apparently craves.
Yet, it takes not a cynic to dismiss any notion of Ronaldo returning to Old Trafford any time soon, even if the Portuguese forward’s unhappiness is not solely about leveraging his status as Madrid’s finest to secure a lucrative pay rise on a contract that runs to 2015.
Few, including leading Madrid-based sports daily Diario AS, believe the 27-year-old player is after anything but a new contract. But even in the highly unlikely event that all the stars aligned there is little possibility of United financing a deal for the world’s second best player. After all Ronaldo earns around €12 million per season before tax – up to €10.5 million net, according to some analysts, thanks to Spain’s formerly lax tax rules for super-rich imported footballers, which still apply to the player’s contract before renewal.
That prodigious salary works out at an income somewhere north of €200,000 per week – or an equivalent gross weekly salary in the UK far in excess of £250,000. Whatever the figure, it exceeds by some distance the new contract handed to Rooney in October 2010. All of that says nothing of Ronaldo’s €1 billion buy-out clause or, more realistically, of the €100 million fee Madrid will reportedly demand of any suitors.
In reality – as ever in football – it all comes down to money and ego. And here’s the rub, with Spain’s tax laws having changed any new contract signed by Ronaldo in Madrid will benefit not from the ‘Beckham Law,’ but a 52 per cent higher rate tax imposed by Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba’s Socialist Workers’ Party. Somebody will have to pay the difference, and Ronaldo doesn’t intend it to be him.
“He wants more money,” claimed Alfredo Relano, editor Madrid-based sports newspaper Diario AS, to underline the point.
“A while ago he was talking about a contract for life. But the price of a superstar has gone up after all the goals he has scored and after all Madrid have won.”
But there is no obvious remedy, if indeed it is a new contract Ronaldo is really seeking. After all, the new tax rate places Madrid under pressure to significantly raise the gross salary in any new deal. Moreover, should Madrid wish to bring Ronaldo’s salary in line with some of the best-paid players on the planet – Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, and Darío Conca for example – the gross sum will stretch even the Madrista’s deep pockets.
There seems little doubt Ronaldo’s ego demands not the money per se, but the status of being one of the world’s best paid players. How it must have hurt for his team-mates to campaign not for the Portuguese to be named European Footballer of the Year, but Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Yet, such is Ronaldo’s dive-esque need to create drama that the player may well yet find his va va voom in Madrid. He probably just needs Sir Alex’ arm around his broad shoulders, which some may say just goes to prove that the player should probably never have left Old Trafford no matter the ‘dream’.
What was that Sir Alex said about cows and fields? Ronaldo’s team-mate-cum-nemesis, Rooney, might have something to add to the debate.
Cristiano in Numbers
Ronaldo’s gross salary is €12,000,000 million per annum or €230,769 weekly, before bonuses and any commercial income. Under the Beckham Law and various tax avoidance schemes Ronaldo’s net salary is between €9,150,000 and €10,500,000 per annum, or €175,000 to €200,000 weekly. To put that in some kind of perspective, Ronaldo’s gross is £9,605,369 per annum, or just shy of £185,000 per week before bonuses.
Net of tax Ronaldo would earn an equivalent of £92,500 per week in England, but the Beckham Law ensures Ronaldo pays far less tax than a higher rate earner in the UK – an equivalent gross salary somewhere in excess of £250,000 per week.
Sporting CP: 2002/3 – 31 appearances, 5 goals
Manchester United: 2003–9 – 292 appearances, 118 goals
Real Madrid: 2009 – 149 appearances, 151 goals
Portugal: 2003 – 97 appearances, 37 goals
He’s coming back to Old Trafford next season. Done deal apparently according to agent14482930282 on twitter.
I’m sure Herbie will also back this up
To be honest when Ronaldo was at United I never appreciated the lad as much as I should have and when he left I was pretty relieved for some reason. Few years have passed and I have to say that I miss the lad in a United shirt! He was incredible for us! He was our saviour! Hed pull us out of trouble when we needed him most! He was the one that got us ticking! What a legend! Would take him back in a heartbeat but I just can’t see it happening. We’d be unstoppable though. Fact
I would be amazed if The Glazers would finance this -and suspect we are being used to beef up the contract.
Do Ron Ron Ron, D Do Ron Ron.
I wish Carrick had him some ego.
Don’t be so quick to dismiss the idea of Ronaldo coming back to United Ed… I admit, that it’s highly unlikely… but not impossible… in fact there has been some interesting debate as to how it might happen.
As it stands, he says he’s not happy… well, the Madrid faithful aren’t too happy with him anymore either… goals and performances aside, they just don’t like his attitude.
Now… if Ronaldo did leave, obviously money would be the big hurdle for any club wanting to sign him… not just to afford him, but also to meet the new FFP rules… outside of Europe there are possiblities… China, Russia, the States… but those would be solely money moves… the football itself would be a big step down, and I’m not sure Ronny would settle for second tier football just yet, especially when he’s still trying to prove he’s the best.
Outside of Real and Barcelona, only United generates enough income off its own back to pay for a player like Ronaldo, and not tip the FFP rules into the bin.
Question is… would the Glazers go for it??? I doubt it… but, an argument could be made why they should… he’s arguably the biggest name and talent in the game, along with Messi… he’s worth a fortune in merchandising, and United is the biggest club brand… together it’s a license to print money.
If Ronaldo does want to leave Real, the buy out clause won’t matter… Real will just want to come out of it ahead… £100mill would probably do it, and of course, Ronaldos blessing… I think that would rule out the Chinese and Russians, as I doubt Ronny would want to play there… PSG might manage it, but again, does Ronny want to play in the French league, and would FFP allow it?… if he came back to the Premier League, there’s really only the Renties, the Bitters, and United… and same questions about FFP.
The Glazers might be tempted if Real accepted flexible terms of some sort, like some money up front, player exchange(Nani), yearly installments, etc… various sponsors might be willing to get involved to help finance the deal as well, and help with his wages, Nike has already been mentioned.
I think this is one of those, “if there’s a will, there’s a way”, situations…
I honestly can’t see it actually happening… but I can see the possibilty…
“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”
Now you’ve got me hoping. Think it was Ed who wrote the article about it being the hope that ends up killing you
Throw Nike’s weight (money) into the deal and it’s is not impossible. Mourinho to follow him also in the next year or two
Madrid won’t get their £80m back for Ronaldo. It was silly money and no one will pay that. Ronaldo will want to carry on with his current contract for tax reasons. But in two years time, when he has only one year left on his contract, he may be able to leave relatively cheaply. Especially as he’ll be 29.
If Madrid want to sell him next summer I’m sure they would accept £60m. Probably too much for United though.
The word is, Real Madrid will accept 100 million and news is Fergie is interested, only if Ronaldo is sincerely interested in coming back. But its wasted money bringing him back for that price. Its not because he is now 27 years old but if the Glazers are giving up 100 miiion, we can use that money to buy a world class right back, a world class replacement for Ferdinand, a central defensive midfielder and an attacking midfielder and all our defensive and midfield problems will be solved. Personally, I would go after Gareth Bale because Tottenham are not going to even finish in the top ten. My left side problems would be solved. I would buy Bale instead of the attacking midfielder since I already have Kagawa. But today, SAF is saying that he is going to put a bid in for Neymar because he missed out on Lucas Moura. Neymar is available in January but he’s already got competition from Barcelona. So from SAF’s comments, he is still looking for a quality attacking midfielder. Iam sure Neymar would cost us around 30 million or more, same as Bale. I know Ronaldo misses Old Trafford but I would be stunned if we put up 100 million to bring him back. I could see this happening maybe if Mourinho is going to be the next manager to replace Fergie in the future.
SHUT.
THE.
FUCK.
UP.
Listen mate, sorry I mean “mate”. You told us with absolute 100% definitely confirmed surety that Jose was coming to OT, and Ronaldo back with him. For this season. You said that you are friends with senior Utd management and that you were on holiday with [insert name here]
THAT DIDN’T HAPPEN, DID IT?
Bravo Herbie bravo
Is it true prior to CR7’s move to Real, City offered him somewhere in the range of 550 thousand pounds a week? If so it could make a strong case for his “unhappiness” stemming from lack of praise from the club their supporters. How anyone could boo a man who scored 151 goals in 149 appearances is beyond me, spoiled brats.
thanks herb, you’ve brightened up a shitty morning
Alfonso Bedoya @ 11:50: “I think this is one of those, “if there’s a will, there’s a way”, situations…”
There have been similar situations in basketball – LeBron James took “less money” to play in Miami so that he could win championships. BUT, of course, that’s not what motivates CR7 – he’s a “show-me-the-money” kinda guy.
How could that be accomplished ? part-exchange might lower the purchase price but the weekly wages are the big stumbling block. However, that murky world of “image rights” might be a way around UTD’s wage-structure, with advertisers/sponsors getting first bids on his services. When SirDavey signed with the LA Galaxy, the salary portion of his contract was the smallest component of his income – most of the money came from advertising/sponsor
hook-ups. So, it’s probably do-able. A lot would depend on SAF’s powers-of-persuasion – with the Glazers and also with Ronaldo himself.
BUT would it make TheLads a better, more competitive team ? CR7 is notoriously selfish on the pitch and “something of a prat” but he’s a diligent professional with a compete-level that is often off-the-charts but not exactly consistent. I’m on the fence about his return BUT if SAF thinks it would improve UTD’s chances by a quantum AND if the finances can be worked-out then WhatTheFuck ? – go for it.
“should Madrid wish to bring Ronaldo’s salary in line with some of the best-paid players on the planet – Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, and Darío Conca for example – the gross sum will stretch even the Madrista’s deep pockets.”
WHO IS DARIO CONCA ?????????????????????????????????????
Not exactly consistent!?!?
Averaging a goal a game in La Liga says hello
The guy is a machine. A literal football machine.
I’d have him back at United in a heartbeat. Him on the right of a nominal front three of RvP / Rooney / Ronaldo. It’ll never happen BUT I CAN DREAM DAMMIT
No… van Percie up front, with a fluid 3 of Kagawa, Rooney, and Ronaldo behind him… Cleverly and Carrick sitting deep to protect the defence…
What an attack… Ferguson would have a perma-spiffy.
“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”
Love to see your formation up against Barca. With yr fluid attack any team playing Utd would be terrified of losing the ball.
Ronaldo is at his home. He is a Madrid fan and this is all a big play to attract the biggest wage. I would love him back but it’s a non starter!
Move along, nothing to see here.
Only way I could see this happening is if united sold/swapped Rooney and possibly Nani too maybe even first option on De Gea and cash and started to negotiate their own TV rights.
this will never happen… its just too much money for anyone but the super rich, which we should be able to count ourselves as, but sadly not thanks to good ol malc
would be horrible if he went to city…
And yes it is true, SAF flew all the way over to the USA to meet with Pepe Guardiola. There is also a picture of them together at the US Open Men’s Tennis Final. Something could be in the making for the future.
Oh Herbie, if you didn’t exist, we would need to invent you
Magical
Ronaldo isn’t happy he needs more money.
Jesus what a concept.
Just keeping you up to date on whats going on. And yes, sometime back I did say Mourinho would be the next manager and he would be bringing Ronaldo back with him. At that time, it looked quite possible and in the media was all this talk about Mourinho and Fergie being the best of friends and that Mourinho was first choice to replace Fergie when he retires. But since then, Guardiola has become a big big name with Barcelona and Moyes has done a credible job with Everton. But if you think Ronaldo is hot news, the hot news is the possibility of signing Cesc Fabregas in January. Catch up on that news! Also, the Manchester news is saying Anderson has been put on the market for sale. Nani has again refused to sign his new contract so he could be out of the door also. SAF has definately not finished spending in the transfer window, he is still looking to buy players, mainly a world class attacking midfielder. These are all signs that SAF will soon retire because what he is doing is rebuilding the team with quality players so when he does retire, we will have a great team that can win trophies. Neymar, Ronaldo and now Fabregas are all on SAF radar. SAF is getting older, he wants to win back the EPL this season by any means necessary so he is going to spend all of the Glazers money to get who he wants to make this possible. He wants the EPL title so he can retire in style. And for the record, Ryan Giggs did come to my country and ran a fantastic 5-day football clinic for kids 5- 16 years old. He is a great man, did some wonderful stuff and he was impressed with the skill and ability. He said our kids are much more skillful than the kids in England but they need more discipline. Everyone loves him.
The transfer window is shut so he will have trouble bringing in a worldy unless there’s a free agent like Usain. Neymar’s club denied that story and if you read reports Real tried to seal a deal for him when they signed Robinho but at the final discussion where Real wanted the deal done the then president lost his cool and put him and his father off the club, they preferred Barcelona then and some even say he asked to be signed when the two teams met in the club world cup final.
Cesc said he wants to end his career there and has already won trophies but wants playing time, it’s still early in the season and Arsenal have the first option to buy as I understand it. Given his feelings for them he may not want to sign for united even though I doubt he’d go back there now as they are weaker than when he was there and won f-all when he was.
Considering Sneijder deal didn’t happen and the reported reasons for it I can’t see the deal happening. One way premier league clubs have a better standing is the higher tax he’ll pay. Arshavin thought he’d be earning more money when he moved to Arsenal because wages were better but tax meant he was taking home less so prem teams would have to pay too much for him. Only PSG or a Russian team would pay the astronomical sums wanted.
A few reports only state that Ronaldo has a clause which states he must be the highest paid player in the world and Eto is on more than him and so he is entitled to more money. This seems slightly absurd though as it’s difficult to know for sure what other clubs are paying players and Eto moved a while ago so he should’ve been bumped up to a higher wage then. That would make it tricky as Real could increase his wages to make him the highest paid player but he would end up earning less with higher tax rate.
I also think the Glazers would make the calculation is this money spent going to increase revenue so greatly from merchandise and competition results that we can be taking more out of the club and the answer is no.
Haha, Ronaldo back at Old Trafford….now that’s a wet dream and a half! Never gonna happen, are people actually taking this seriously??
We couldn’t afford Ronaldo now for one; transfer fee nor wages. I’m pretty sure his ego just needs some nourishing from the big wigs at Real, then everything will be hunky dory again.
It would make for a great scrap though for the number 7 shirt…Ronnie v Tony V. Tony V slight fav at 4/6. Ronnie 5/2.
Agreed. No way he will return to United. Especially with Real supposedly setting his transfer fee at 200M.
I highly doubt he will be leaving Real any time soon. They will do what it takes to keep him there.
The only chance he will come back is if the Glazers get bought out by some Middle East millionaires. Any future monies need to be spent on the premier medical staff in global sports. Too many injuries to be a coincidence!
We could sell Nani, Young and Valencia as part payment it would still be worth it.
Even with the most generous valuations, that would leave a shortfall of £50m plus. That’s nearly double what the Glazers have spent on any other player. Look at it from the financials viewpoint (the only viewpoint the Glazers have). If they pay £100m plus now, aged 27, what’s his resale value in 3 years? In 5 years you may as well flush the money down the toilet. On a similar vein I heard the other day the RvP deal is £14m with add ons. The £24m figure was released to flatter both the Glazers and make the Arsenal board look strong. Anyone else heard the same?
These Ronaldo conversations aren’t half boring
It’s all hypothetical ifs & buts
We badly need a game to whinge about