By DAN KARELL
For the second time this season, Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has locked in one of the best players in the world to a long-term contract at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
The club announced on Sunday afternoon that superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a new five-year contract, one that will keep him as a Madrid player through the age of 33. The deal also marks an improved yearly salary, which according to Spanish publication Marca, makes Ronaldo the highest-paid player in the world at €17 million ($22.7 million) per season.
“He is, and he will be, forever a ‘Madridista’,” Perez said to Marca at a press conference to announce the contract signing. “We believe Cristiano can continue this incredible dynasty of unique players with the ability to make history for the club.”
Since moving to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, the Portuguese international has racked up insane goal totals, averaging at least one per game in each of the last three seasons. In total, Ronaldo has scored 203 goals for ‘Los Blancos’, which includes two this season.
Ronaldo’s contract extension follows Madrid’s reported $132 million transfer signing of Gareth Bale, who is reportedly making €11 million per season.
Here are some more stories to get your week kicked off:
KAKA RULED OUT WITH INJURY
It wasn’t exactly a debut to remember for Ricardo Kaka.
Making his first appearance for AC Milan since returning to Italy just before the close of the transfer window, Kaka only lasted 70 minutes before leaving due to injury in Milan’s 2-2 draw with Torino, a game that arguably should have gone Torino’s way if not for a 96th minute penalty kick goal by Mario Balotelli.
On Monday, Milan revealed an update on Kaka’s injury, calling it a “left adductor (hip) injury” and that in ten days he’d be re-evaluated by the club’s medical staff. A number of outlets in Italy have reported that the former World Player of the Year is likely to miss at least a month due to the injury, and Kaka’s reportedly asked for the club to withhold his salary until he returns to full fitness.
The news is a huge blow to Kaka, who struggled to find consistency due to injuries and lack of playing time in his four years at Real Madrid.
QUICK KICKS
Arsene Wenger has ruled midfielder Santi Cazorla out for at least three weeks due to an ankle injury, while Olivier Giroud is in a race against time to heal a knock to his knee. (REPORT)
Vincent Kompany has been named in Manchester City’s traveling squad to face Viktoria Plzen in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. It’s Kompany’s first selection since injuring his hamstring one month ago. (REPORT)
Manchester United have finally included Shiji Kagawa in their squad to face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday. (REPORT)
Mexican international midfielder Pablo Barrera is set to miss six monthsa of action after tearing ligaments in his right knee. (REPORT)
Ahead of Sampdoria’s match against Genoa on Sunday, which resulted in a 3-0 victory to Genoa, Samp officials caught Genoa youth team coach Lucas De Pra hiding in the trees near the training ground, spying on the Samp training session. De Pra was dressed in army fatigues. (REPORT)
Boca Juniors are now just two points from leaders Newell’s Old Boys, following a 2-0 victory against Racing Club on Saturday. (REPORT)
——
What do you think of these reports? Do you see Ronaldo staying at Madrid until 2018? Do you like Egypt’s chances? Surprised that Kaka was injured in his first game with Milan?
Share your thoughts below.