Well would you look at that?
Cristiano Ronaldo might not be leaving Real Madrid after all. Shocking, we know…
Not for the first time in recent years, the multi-Ballon d’Or winner appeared to be slightly unhappy with life at the Bernabeu, wasting no time at all after the Champions League final to make it known that he might be playing his football elsewhere next season.
Manchester United were (of course) reported to be a possible destination for Ronaldo, who left them for Madrid nine years ago. Paris Saint-Germain were also said to be an option, with the European champions thought to be interested in a deal which would see Neymar head in the opposite direction.
Ronaldo reportedly knocked back a new €25million-a-year deal to stay put when Real held talks with his representatives earlier this week, even though the contract had the option to rise to €30million-a-year depending on performances.
Now, just as it seemed Ronaldo was set to leave, comes a dramatic U-turn that absolutely none of us saw coming. Honest.
COPE radio report Madrid have increased the amount of bonuses the 33-year-old would receive in his new deal, increasing the likelihood that he will stay put after all.
Who’d have thought it, eh? It’s almost as if he deliberately hints at a move away from Madrid every other transfer window in a bid to get himself a slightly bigger contract.
Ronaldo is Real’s record scorer and has helped the club win four Champions League titles in the last four seasons. Something tells us he’ll be banging in a few more goals for them next year, too.
Ronaldo is currently with the Portugal team ahead of the World Cup. The European champions kick off their campaign with an Iberian derby against Spain on June 15. They will also face Morocco and Iran in the group stages.
