Cristiano Ronaldo signs new contract with Real Madrid
The
Portuguese sensation is thought to have agreed a deal to become the
highest-paid player in Spanish football after months of protracted
negotiations.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid
Real Madrid has announced that
Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a new contract
with the club.
The Portugal star has finally put pen to paper on fresh terms at
Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, ending any lingering doubts as to his
future at the club following months of speculation over the
talks.
"It's a very special day for me," Ronaldo said during a press
conference. "I'm very grateful, above all to the president
(Florentino Perez) and to my fans who always support me. It's for
them that I will continue on here until what could be the end of my
career."
Los Blancos have not yet disclosed any details of the contract,
although reports in the Spanish media suggest the 28-year-old will
become Spain's highest-paid player with a net salary of 17 million
euros per year, earning more than Lionel Messi and new teammate and
record-signing Gareth Bale.
It was revealed on Saturday that Ronaldo was ready to sign a new
five-year deal with Madrid, with Perez eager to keep his promise
making the Portugal captain the highest-paid player in world
football.
Ronaldo is thought to be set to earn 50 percent more per year than
Bale, who eclipsed the forward's world-record transfer fee after
his reported 100 million euro move from Tottenham at the end of the
summer.
"Ronaldo has won the hearts of all of Madrid's fans," Perez said.
"And his goal-scoring numbers are simply amazing. He has reached
203 games and scored 204 goals with Madrid. There are no precedents
for such spectacular figures."
The news brings to an end a full year of speculation over Ronaldo's
commitment to the Madrid cause, beginning with the revelations that
he felt "sad" in the Spanish capital last autumn over a perceived
lack of support from the club's hierarchy.
"Maybe that day I was a little sad," Ronaldo said. "It's normal.
It's human. Maybe I shouldn't have said it publicly, but I am not
perfect. I make mistakes like everyone else, but it happened and
that page has been turned.
"Now I am fine, comfortable and very motivated. I want to continue
at this club for many years and give it my all like always."
Former side Manchester United was linked with a sensational move to
bring the 2008 Ballon d'Or winner back to Old Trafford earlier this
summer, four years after he was sold for a then-record fee of 94
million euros.
But Ronaldo, who has 203 goals in as many games for Madrid, has
always maintained a desire to stay at the club following Carlo
Ancelotti's appointment, with the Italian coach himself underlining
his belief that the deal would go through.
"Everyone knows that I was at Manchester for six years and it was a
club that gave me many, many things," he said. "But Manchester is
the past, now my club is Real Madrid. It's my home and my family
and I am really happy here."
