CRISTIANO RONALDO has finally jetted off to join the Portugal squad after his Malaga holiday with stunning Wag Georgina. to kick-start his World Cup quest.
The Real Madrid hero has just bagged another Champions League and outlasted another manager, with Zinedine Zidane moving on.
Ronaldo, 33, was allowed to miss his country’s warm-up games against Tunisia and Belgium, both of which were drawn.
But he has now joined up with his 2016 European Championship winning team-mates hoping to add the Jules Rimet to his collection – starting with their final friendly clash with Algeria on Thursday.
Portugal then face Iberian neighbours Spain, Morocco and Iran in Group B in Russia.
The five-time Ballon d’Or-winner’s future is shrouded in doubt following comments after the Champions League final win over Liverpool.
It is thought he is understood to be unhappy at earning significantly less than superstar rivals Lionel Messi and Neymar.
EUR NO 1 Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, Ajax or AC Milan? As Zinedine Zidane brings curtain down on end of an era, we ask: which is greatest-ever team?
And El Confidencial report Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes has put forward terms over a new contract worth £70m-a-year before tax.
Should Real Madrid accept, he would pocket £44m net every 12 months net — around £841,000-a-week — in a three-year deal which would cost the club a basic rate of £210m.
most read in football
However, the report insists Los Blancos have no intention of agreeing to these demands, especially for a player who would be 36 when the deal comes to its end.
Currently, Ronaldo earns £350,000-a-week, with Paris Saint-Germain ace Neymar pocketing £619,000 and Messi raking in £673,000 at Barcelona.
The former Manchester United winger wants a higher salary, given he has won Ballon d’Or titles in back-to-back years — and for it to reflect the current football landscape.
Furthermore, he faces having to pay up to £17m to the Spanish treasury, having been accused of tax fraud — and Ronaldo wants more protection from his club as well as financial aid to cover the cost.
The Real Madrid ace believes Barcelona gave Messi every help when he faced similar charges in recent seasons.
How to claim your FREE £10 bet
1 Register for Sun Bets here
2 Bet £5 or more
3 Sun Bets will stick a £10 bet in your account
Leave a comment