Cristiano Ronaldo received millions in extra bonuses just days before he told Manchester United he wanted to leave and not join his team-mates training in Thailand.
Sources at Manchester United have revealed that he won an undisclosed sum – in the millions of euros – as soon as the second year of his contract began at the end of last June.
The surprise bonus was part of the deal he agreed to return to Old Trafford from Juventus last summer.
A source familiar with Old Trafford said: “Contract extensions are due at the beginning of this month, but the news of Ronaldo’s desire to leave was published immediately after receiving the bonus money.”
Ronaldo agreed to take a 50% pay cut, as his salary and bonuses in Italy totaled more than €1 million.
But “Manu” paid the annual bonus to all the players.
The insider stresses that this is not an outright loyalty requirement, as it includes image rights and various payments, including the number of goals scored per season.
United have already agreed similar annual payments to Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez as part of the overall cost of the deal.
The source said: “Ronaldo did nothing wrong, but there are those who say that the timing of all this may not be a coincidence and that Ronaldo could have made his desire to leave clear weeks ago.”
Ronaldo, who has one year left on his contract with United, scored 24 goals in 38 games in all competitions last season.
But the “Red Devils” team settled for the sixth place in the English Premier League and failed to win a title for the fifth consecutive season.
Source: Lebanon Debate
