CR7 has reportedly signed on to Madrid until 2018

After much speculation, Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly renewed his contract and will be with the whites until 2018. This renewal makes Ronaldo the highest paid player in Spanish football. He will receive a salary of €17 million net for each of the next five seasons. This tops what Barcelona player Messi gets.

Up until now, Ronaldo owned 60 per cent of his image rights with the other 40 going to Madrid but with this signing, the percentage will now increase. The club however, is reserving the right to guarantee itself an economical return on the investment. This income will most likely be generated by Ronaldo’s publicity deals.

Past misunderstandings have been sorted out between Floretino Perez and Ronaldo as there was a supposed chill in their relationship last season. “It is clear that there is now a better understanding between them”, say people around them.

Allegedly, for Ronaldo, the contract was never about the money, he wanted to feel wanted and now the president of the club has made him feel protected, he is happy.

The season begins on August 17, so the official announcement has to be made before then, and of course, if Real Madrid sign the man they want – Gareth Bale, the presentation and renewal will be all that much sweeter.

Jorge Mendes, Ronaldo’s agent has more than once made it clear that Ronaldo will be with Madrid until the player retires. He reportedly said to the player “Where would you be better off than you are here?”