CRISTIANO RONALDO earned the same amount as Manchester United’s EIGHT best paid players in 2022.
The Portuguese star left Old Trafford for Saudi Arabia in November after his explosive interview with Sun columnist Piers Morgan.
Despite his waning powers, Ronaldo, 38, was named the world’s top earning athlete in Forbes’ annual list earlier this week.
He pocketed £109million in 2022, more than any other sportsperson – even Lionel Messi, who earned £104m.
Ronaldo reportedly took home £36.6m in salary last year, in addition to an astonishing £71.7m in endorsements.
This sum saw him dwarf his former United team-mates in earnings.
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Following CR7’s exit, the Red Devils’ top earner is goalkeeper David de Gea.
The Spaniard, whose deal is set to expire at the end of the season, pockets £19.5m annually, as per Spotrac.
In fact, it would take the salaries of United’s EIGHT top earners to match Ronaldo’s total earnings last year.
Jadon Sancho reportedly takes home £18.2m a year, with Raphael Varane on £17.68m annually.
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Summer signing Casemiro is next on the list at £15.6m, equating to £300k a week, while Anthony Martial is claimed to earn £13m a year.
Bruno Fernandes takes home £12.48m – with Antony and Marcus Rashford on £10.4m apiece.
The reported wages of De Gea, Sancho, Varane, Casemiro, Martial, Fernandes, Antony and Rashford equal a total £108.26m – still just shy of Ronaldo’s total sum.
With money perhaps doesn’t always come happiness, however, with Ronaldo claimed to want to leave Al-Nassr after less than six months in Saudi Arabia.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner reportedly wants to leave the Kingdom as girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez is unhappy and is eager to move back to Madrid.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
