Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus has converted the Portuguese forward into the third highest-paid player in the world, behind Barcelona’s Leo Messi and PSG’s Brazilian forward Neymar. Ronaldo is set to earn 30 million euros per year in Turin, a nine-million-euro improvement on his Real Madrid salary, which stood at 21 million. Messi pockets 40 million euros a year at the Camp Nou while Neymar’s contract at the Parc des Princes is worth 36 million a year. Iniesta could break top five Andrés Iniesta's name does not yet feature in the top 10 of the world's best-paid footballers as the details of his contract with Vissel Kobe have not been disclosed but during negotiations with the former Barcelona captain a figure of 27 million euros per year was mentioned, which would place him fourth on the list behind Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo has long sought to earn a salary in line with his status and Juventus were willing to pay him enough to move him into the top three. On his previous wage, Ronaldo was the eighth best-paid player in the world, sandwiched between two footballers plying their trade in the Chinese Super League, Hulk and Ezequiel Lavezzi. He has now overtaken Mesul Özil, Antoine Griezmann – whose decision to stay at Atlético Madrid was rewarded with a pay rise to 23 million euros a year - Alexis Sánchez and Óscar, who picks up 23 million a year at Hebei Fortune in the CSL. Cristiano Juventus Forward Portugal The 10 highest-paid players in world football Player Club Salary Leo Messi (ARG) Barcelona (ESP) €40m Neymar (BRA) PSG (FRA) €36m Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) Juventus (ITA) €30m Óscar (BRA) Shanghai SIPG (CHN) €24m Alexis Sánchez (CHI) Man. United (ENG) €23m Antoine Griezmann (FRA) Atlético (ESP) €23m Mesut Özil (GER) Arsenal (ENG) €23m Ezequiel Lavezzi (ARG) Hebei Fortune (CHN) €22m Hulk (BRA) Shanghai SIPG (CHN) €20m Kylian Mbappé (FRA) PSG (FRA) €18m Paul Pogba (FRA) Man. United (ENG) €17m Sources: As.com, Statista and Fox Sports.<doc-sep>Cristiano Ronaldo is joining Juventus after the Italian club agreed a €100m (£88.3m) fee for the Portugal forward with Real Madrid. The 33-year-old is ready for a new challenge after nine years at Real and asked the La Liga club to let him go. The player and his agent, Jorge Mendes, met the Juventus chairman, Andrea Agnelli, in Greece on Tuesday to discuss the final details of the deal. Ronaldo is signing a four-year contract with an annual salary of around €30m. In Italy clubs have to pay the same amount in tax, which takes the total cost of the transfer to €340m (€100m transfer fee plus €240m in salary and taxes). “I only have feelings of enormous gratitude for this club and for this city,” Ronaldo wrote in an open letter to Real fans. “I have had nine absolutely wonderful years at the club. “Real Madrid has conquered my heart, and that of my family, and that is why more than ever I want to say thank you: thank you to the club, the president, the directors, my colleagues, all the staff, doctors, physios and incredible people that make everything work.” He finished his letter by saying: “Thanks to everyone and, of course, as I said that first time in our stadium nine years ago: Hala Madrid!” Real also released a statement on Tuesday saying they had agreed to the transfer “at the will and the request of the player”. The statement added: “Real Madrid would like to express its gratitude to a player who has proved to be the best in the world and who has made this one of the most brilliant times in the history of our club. “Beyond the titles he won during these nine years at the club Cristiano Ronaldo has also been an example of dedication, work, responsibility, talent and constant improvement.” Quick Guide Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid Show • 451 goals in 438 games • Scored more than 40 goals in eight consecutive seasons • Scored 69 goals in 2011-12 season • First player to score 100 Champions League goals for one club • Four Ballon d’Or awards (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) • Four Champions League titles (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018) Photograph: Paul White/AP Was this helpful? Thank you for your feedback. Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2009 after six years at Manchester United. He won four Champions League titles with Real, two league championships, two Spanish Cups and three Fifa Club World Cups. The World Cup Fiver: sign up and get our daily football email. He also became Real’s record scorer with 451 goals in 438 games. While there he won four Ballons d’Or and three Golden Boots. Real finished their statement by saying: “For Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo will always be one of our greatest symbols and a unique reference for our next generations. Real Madrid will always be your home.” Sergio Ramos, the Real captain, sent Ronaldo a message on Twitter thanking the Portuguese for everything he has done for the club since he joined in 2009. “Cristiano, your goals, your numbers and everything we’ve won together speak for themselves. You have earned a special place in the history of RealMadrid. As Madridistas we’ll remember you for ever. It’s been a pleasure to play alongside you. Big hug and good luck!” Juventus’s Sami Khedira, who played with Ronaldo at Real Madrid before moving to Turin, said: “Welcome to Turin, Cristiano. We were great at Real Madrid and I can’t wait to work with you again. Today is a great day for Juventus.”<doc-sep>
Cristiano Ronaldo will be laughing all the way to the bank having secured his money-spinning switch to Juventus . The 33-year-old has ended his nine-year stay at Real Madrid by agreeing to join the Turin giants, who plan to formally announce the deal in the coming days. The news brings to an end to six weeks of speculation around Ronaldo, who initially hinted that he would be leaving the club on the pitch after May's Champions League final victory over Liverpool in Kiev. (Image: AFP) (Image: REUTERS) Ronaldo issued a statement thanking Real's fans after the news broke, saying: "These years in Real Madrid, and in this city of Madrid, have been possibly the happiest of my life. "I only have feelings of enormous gratitude for this club, for this hobby and for this city. I can only thank all of them for the love and affection I have received. "However, I believe that the time has come to open a new stage in my life and that is why I have asked the club to accept transferring me. I feel that way and I ask everyone, and especially our followers, to please understand me." (Image: AFP) And the finances behind the move might add to the understanding. It has been revealed that Ronaldo will pocket €30m a year in a four-year deal worth €120m in Turin, and it only looks more impressive when you break it all down. Cristiano Ronaldo Juventus wages breakdown £106,180,616 (€120m) over his four year deal £26,545,154 (€30m) a year £2,212,096 (€2.5m) a month £510,483 (€576,923) a week £72,925 (€82,417) a day £3,038 (€3,434) an hour £50.64 (€57.23) a minute 84p (€0.95) a second Ronaldo will amazingly earn £510,483 per week in Turin, which works out at £72,925 a day. That's £3,038 an hour — £50.64 per minute. Which means that Ronaldo could falls asleep for eight hours in Turin and earn himself £24,304!