TROUBLE IN PARADISE AS RONALDO DEMANDS £36m FROM MADRID OR HE QUITS

 

Cristiano Ronaldo has asked Real Madrid to cough out £36m (N17.8 billion) as his yearly salary, to bring him at par with his Barcelona rival, Lionel Messi or he will leave the club.

At present Ronaldo earns £18.6m a year, but reports from multiple sources said the Portuguese star wants a pay rise of  close to  £17million, which will make his pay packet swell to £35.6 million.

According to Sport, the Portuguese forward has made it clear to Real’s hierarchy that he wants monetary parity with Messi or he will leave the club.

According to reports, Messi got a fatter pay  at the Nou Camp following his recently signed deal.

Ronaldo, who signed a new contract in November 2016, has been left frustrated by Real president Florentino Perez who has stalled on offering him an improved contract.

Reports in Spain have said that the 32-year-old was promised one after spearheading Real to a La Liga and Champions League double last season.

However, without fruition of one; Los Blancos’ No 7 feels undervalued and has cited this as a reason for his goalscoring woes at the moment.

Ronaldo, who has been linked with a return to Manchester United, signed his current five-year contract – which runs until 2021 – in November 2016.

Should Real pay?

Sixty nine per cent of the people who responded to an online poll by www.marca.com, believed the Spanish giants should not do so, why 31 per cent supported his demand.

Pablo Polo, writing for Marca, argues that Real Madrid should ignore Ronaldo’s blackmail on four grounds:

First because Ronaldo isn’t at his best right now, at least in LaLiga, where he has just four goals.

Secondly, Ronaldo  renewed his contract in November of 2016 and his current deal runs until he is 36. He’ll be making more money than most, even at this age.

Polo also reasoned that Ronaldo  may have been the best player of 2017, but the situation has changed.

Sergio Fernandez  writes that the star player deserves the new wage because the Madrid President, Florentino Perez has always said  that Ronaldo is the best player in the world and in history.

“Being fair, Ronaldo has paid back every euro he’s earned and has brought so many individual and collective titles to the club.

“Real Madrid still have the Copa del Rey and the Champions League to fight for this season and, with an on-form Ronaldo, this could still be a not-terrible year for the club”.

-NAN

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RONALDO SAYS HE'S THE BEST PLAYER IN THE HISTORY OF FOOTBALL [READ]

Cristiano Ronaldo says he is the "best player in history" after winning his fifth Ballon d'Or on Thursday, according to a report by SkySports.

The Real Madrid forward scooped the award, which is organised by magazine France Football, for the fifth time to tie level with Lionel Messi's tally.

Ronaldo, who helped his side win the Champions League and La Liga last season, also won the best male player prize at the 2017 Best Fifa Football Awards in October, and believes he is now the greatest to have played the game.

"I'm the best player in history, in the good moments and the bad ones," he told France Football. "I respect everyone's preferences, but I've never seen anyone better than me. I have always thought that. No footballer can do the things I can. There's no player more complete than me.
"I play well with both feet, I'm quick, powerful, good with the head, I score goals, I make assists. There are guys who prefer Neymar or (Lionel) Messi. But I tell you: there's no-one more complete than me.
"No one has won as many individual trophies as me. And I'm not speaking just of the Ballon d'Or. That says something, doesn't it? It's not just a result of the work I do in the gym, like some people think. It's the sum of many things.
"Legends like Floyd Mayweather and LeBron James don't get to their perfect level by chance. Many factors coincide. To be at the top and to stay there, you have to have more talent than the others."
Ronaldo admitted he was "sad and angry" when Messi scooped the Ballon d'Or on four consecutive occasions from 2009 to 2012, and said he had no interest in going to ceremonies to accept second place.

"I won the Ballon d'Or before Messi, then he overtook me and won four in a row. I'm not going to hide from you that I was sad and angry," he said.
"I went to the award ceremonies and I never won. At one point, I was even demotivated. I had no desire to go. To be there for the photo didn't interest me.
"Then, little by little, thanks to those close to me, I told myself that in life there is a beginning and an end. And in football what counts is the finish, not the start. I was patient. And I won four other Ballon d'Or's."x

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HISTORY MAKEE: ARSENE WENGER BREAKS AND SETS RECORD AS ARSENAL DEFEAT BRIGHTON

Arsene Wenger beat a record he shared with Sir Alex Ferguson as Arsenal stormed to a 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Goals from Nacho Monreal and Alex Iwobi either side of the break sealed a convincing win for the Gunners at the Emirates to take Arsene Wenger’s side to fifth in the English top flight.

Wenger was understandably delighted at the final whistle as Arsenal came away with three points but there was extra reason for the Frenchman to be chuffed with the win.

The victory meant Arsenal’s manager broke the record he shares with legendary Manchester United boss Ferguson for wins versus Premier League teams.

Brighton became the 45th side to be beaten by Wenger as the manager celebrates his 21st anniversary at Arsenal.

The north London giants head to Watford after the international break before hosting Crvena Zvezda where they will be looking to continue their seven-match unbeaten run.

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MESUT OZIL EYE-SHOCKS MOVE TO MANCHESTER UNITED

Mesut Ozil is keen on a shock move to Manchester United.

The Arsenal star is out of contract in the summer and looks set to leave the Emirates on a free. And United are interested in bringing him up to Old Trafford.

Ozil and Jose Mourinho worked together at Real Madrid and the Sunday Mirror report that the German is keen on a reunion.

He is said to have been putting feelers out over a potential move and has been encouraged with the feedback.

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MAN UTD TO SIGN IBRAHIMOVIC AGAIN AS COUTINHO HANDS LIVERPOOL TRANSFER REQUEST

Manchester United are in discussions to re-sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the second half of the season when he recovers from a serious knee injury, manager Jose Mourinho confirmed on Friday.

The former Sweden striker was United’s top scorer last season, hitting 28 goals as they won the Europa League, the League Cup and the Community Shield.

However, he is without a club as he recovers from cruciate knee ligament damage sustained during the Europa League quarter-final against Anderlecht in April.

Ibrahimovic’s one-year deal at Old Trafford expired in June and was not extended following the injury. He has trained with the club during his rehabilitation, though, and Mourinho has made clear he still believes the forward can do a job for him.

Ibrahimovic –- who had won league titles with every club he had played for before joining United on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain a year ago — has made clear that he was disappointed to finish sixth with Mourinho’s team last season.

The United boss is aiming higher this time, and wants the 35-year-old to be a part of that effort.

“Zlatan is injured and needs time to recover,”Mourinho said on Friday. “He is not ready to play tomorrow, so it is not something that’s urgent. We are not desperate to have it (a deal) done or not.
“He wants more football at the highest level so we are having conversations and discussing the possibility of him staying for the second part of the season.”
United kick off their Premier League campaign at home to West Ham on Sunday, having won six of their seven pre-season friendlies.

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ALEXIS SANCHES BREAKS HEART OF ARSENAL FANS WITH LATEST DECISION - READ

Alexis Sanchez has reiterated his desire to play in the Champions League as he made his latest plea to Arsenal to let him leave the club.

The 28-year-old forward was the Gunners’ shining star in a disappointing campaign last season where they finished fifth and failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in Arsene Wenger’s reign.

But Sanchez, whose contract expires next summer and who is understood to want to join former boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, is not willing to wait another year to return to European football’s premier club competition.

"I want to play in the Champions League,” he told reporters in his native Chile.

“The decision isn't down to me, I need to wait for Arsenal.”
Reiterating claims he made in the wake of the Confederations Cup, where Chile lost the final to Germany, he added: "I've made my decision, now I wait for Arsenal's reply.
"The idea is to play in and win the Champions League. It is something that I have dreamed about it since I was little.”
Manchester City are understood to be quietly confident that they can sign the player this summer and he forms a big part of Guardiola’s planned recruitment drive.

Bayern Munich have also retained an interest in the former Barcelona forward but can’t offer him the personal terms he requires. Arsenal are understood to have offered Alexis the biggest contract in their history to remain at the club, but as of yet the Chilean has shown little inclination to extend his deal and while Arsenal’s stance remains that the forward will not be sold.

If no extension can be agreed then the 28-year-old can leave on a Bosman next summer.

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CHELSEA FC SIGNS TIEMOUE BAKAYOKO FROM MONACO (PHOTOS)

Tiemoue Bakayoko is a Chelsea player having today completed a transfer from Monaco, Chelseafc.com reports.

Bakayoko, 22, is a tall, strong and quick central midfielder who was instrumental in Monaco’s Ligue 1 triumph last season, as well as their impressive run to the Champions League semi-finals.

He recently made his debut for France in the same line-up as new team-mate N’Golo Kante, and is widely recognised as one of the best young central midfielders in European football.

Bakayoko, who has signed a five-year contract and will wear the No.14 shirt, said: ‘I am very happy to be here and to join this great team. I have grown up watching Chelsea. Signing was the natural thing for me because it is a club I loved very much in my childhood. ‘I am now looking forward to evolving under this fantastic coach and alongside so many great team-mates.’

Technical director, Michael Emenalo added:‘Tiemoue was outstanding as Monaco emerged as one of Europe’s best sides last season and we are delighted to welcome him to Chelsea. ‘Despite his young age he already has plenty of experience as a French title winner and having competed in the latter stages of the Champions League, we believe he will add considerable quality to our squad.’
In possession, Bakayoko typically plays quickly and simply but has the ability to be more expansive if required, and is strong in a one-on-one situation.

His physicality, awareness and timing in the tackle means he is superb at winning the ball back and harassing opponents into mistakes. In a tight central midfield two at Monaco he starred as they unexpectedly beat Paris St-Germain to the title and also reached the last four of the Champions League, knocking out Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund en route. Bakayoko scored the decisive goal in a thrilling two-legged tie against the Premier League side.

Born in Paris, Bakayoko came through the Rennes academy in the north-west of France and made his senior debut in August 2013, a week after his 19th birthday.

He signed for Monaco the following summer and made almost 100 appearances for the principality side during his three seasons there, scoring five goals.

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MAN-U LEGEND WANYE ROONEY SIGNS FOR EVERTON (SEE PHOTOS)

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has joined Everton over the weekend on a free transfer. The announcement was made on Everton's Twitter handle with photos.  

According to BBC Sport, Rooney arrived at Everton's Finch Park training ground on Saturday to have a medical, according to BBC Merseyside Sport.  

Rooney, 31, has now returned to Goodison - 13 years after he left for United - despite interest from other clubs. United will waive a fee and may also fund part of Rooney's £13m wages, it was learnt.  

The deal is not connected to United's ongoing pursuit of Everton forward Romelu Lukaku. Rooney signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract during the 2013-14 campaign, which included the option of a further season, but the Old Trafford club have no intention of triggering that clause.  

The future of the the former England captain, who started 15 Premier League games last season, was a subject of speculation for several months.

Asked in May whether he wanted to stay at Old Trafford, he said: "Of course. I've been at this club for 13 years, but I want to play football."  

Rooney began his career at Goodison Park before joining United for £27m in August 2004. Meanwhile, United have appointed former Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia as their new Under-23 manager. Sbragia, who left the Scottish FA last month, spent three years in charge of the reserves at United from 2002.

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GERMANY RECORDS FIRST CONFEDERATIONS CUP TITLE AFTER DEFEATING CHILE WITH A LONE GOAL

Germany has won this year’s Confederations Cup, after beating Chile 1-0 in the final played on Sunday at St. Petersburg. 

The South Americans started the match in typical frenetic style, but failed to make their domination count, until the world champions struck in the middle of the first half. Diaz was robbed of the ball inside the area by Werner, who squared unselfishly for Lars Stindl to tap into an empty net. 

Although the Chileans continued to press in the second half, the Germans held on to victory. 

Portugal earlier in the day clinched third place, with a 2-1 win over Mexico.

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