Cristiano Ronaldo signalled his intention to keep playing for 10 more years after rounding off a “dream year” by signing a bumper new five-year contract with Real Madrid yesterday.
The deal, expected to protect Ronaldo’s status as the world’s highest paid footballer, will keep the Portuguese tied to the European champions until he is 36.
“What I most want is to continue enjoying the years I have left to play. I still have 10 years (ahead),” Ronaldo said after signing what he insisted will be his penultimate contract.
According to American magazine Forbes, Ronaldo topped Barcelona rival Lionel Messi as the world’s best paid sportsman in 2016 with an income of $88m.
The three-time World Player of the Year has enjoyed his most successful year at a collective level, scoring the winning penalty as Madrid won the Champions Leaguefor an 11th time in May before captaining Portugal to their first major tournament win at Euro 2016.
“After the season I’ve had, to win the Champions League, the Euros and then renew my contract with Real Madrid it is something I never imagined. It is a dream year.”
Ronaldo becomes just the latest Madrid star to extend his contract in recent weeks.
Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos also agreed lucrative renewals as the club prepares to serve a one-year transfer ban imposed by FIFA.
Ronaldo has plundered 371 goals in 360 games in his eight seasons since swapping Manchester United for Madrid for a then world record fee in 2009 making him the club’s all-time top goalscorer.
As well as picking up two of his three Ballon d’Or titles for the world’s best as a Madrid player, Ronaldo has also won two Champions Leagues, one La Liga title and two Spanish Cups.
“There will be a before and after Cristiano Ronaldo,” said Madrid president Florentino Perez.
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