Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the world’s best players. He’s won the Ballon D’or a monumental 4 times and, last season, won the La Liga title as well as the UEFA Champions League for a second year running. Ronaldo is the most important piece in Real Madrid’s star-studded jigsaw. But, having been accused of tax fraud by Spanish authorities, the Portuguese forward has been reportedly said he wants a “new challenge”, aiming to leave Real Madrid this summer. 

Anyone willing to even attempt to buy the Portuguese forward would have to dig rather deep into their pockets given that Ronaldo signed a new 5 year contract last autumn. The buy-out clause is suggested to be at €1 billion (yes, billion!) but it is widely believed that a fee of £131 million would prompt Real Madrid to let the 32-year-old leave the club.

In a radio interview with Onda Cero, Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez, said Ronaldo was “very angry” but stated that the player would not be leaving.

In a sport so dominated by money, football appears to be heading into uncharted territory. The market value of a player is no longer their present-day quality, but also their age, position and marketability. In the aforementioned categories, Ronaldo ticks the boxes of marketability and position, he has got the looks and scores goals. But, at the age of 32, is he really worth a record-breaking fee that would open the floodgates to transfer fees soaring into triple figures?

 What does Ronaldo give you?

Ronaldo is one of the best players on the planet. The Messi vs Ronaldo debate will continue in households across the world, but there’s no doubting that Ronaldo gives you just as much as Messi. Ronaldo produces goals, and lots of them.

Last season, he scored 42 goals in 46 games, 2 of which came in the Champions League Final – seeing Real win the trophy for the second season in a row. His ability to turn up in big games is undoubtedly his greatest trait. Rarely does Ronaldo shy away from a challenge. Granted, he’ll throw his toys out of the pram from time to time, but it’s worth it for what he gives the team. His pace, power and ability to score goals makes him one of the most sought after players in the world, and rightly so.

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But, at the age of 32, time isn’t on his side. Speculation of Ronaldo returning to Manchester United has been somewhat quelled with Jose Mourinho believing the player is in decline. Indeed, he may not be as sharp as he was a few years ago, but last season the forward proved that he can evolve into a different type of player.

Ronaldo’s evolution

The 2016/17 season saw Ronaldo evolve as a player. We saw far less of his dashing runs from the left-wing and, instead, we saw him take up more of a central position alongside fellow striker, Karim Benzema. His slight tweak in position saw the front three of Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale become much more fluid, interchanging positions throughout the game.

Ronaldo’s move towards the centre of the pitch allowed him to prove his worth as an out-and-out goalscorer. He scored many vital goals last season, including two against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final first leg as well as two goals in the final versus Juventus.

Many of his goals came from inside the box. Ronaldo has adapted a skill for working an inch of space inside the area to find the back of the net. Magic.

True, the evolution of Ronaldo is remarkable – but how long can he go on for? He’s proved that he’s superhuman with unbelievable career statistics, but being able to perform at the top for another three to four seasons would be impressive. Thus, this begs the all important question, how much is he truly worth? 

Marketability

Many fans believe that spending in football is becoming excessive. Indeed, prices for players are more than they were ten or even five years ago. But, clubs only pay the money when they can see a direct investment opportunity.

The online world sees over 1 billion people with a Facebook account, 400 million with Instagram and 32o million on Twitter. When the two worlds of sport and social media collide, that only means one thing, money!

Transfers are no longer just about the ability of the player on the pitch but also about their marketability off the pitch. Paul Pogba’s move to Manchester United saw an array of marketing initiatives that saw him heralded as the next big thing – and so he should be for £89 million!

But, those millions were paid off within weeks. According to online reports, Pogba’s shirt sales saw £190 million profit in just three weeks. That £89 million fee doesn’t seem so extortionate now, does it.

Cristiano Ronaldo is probably the most marketable player in the world. He’s got the looks, the ability and the confidence. Any club to buy Ronaldo would receive their money back through shirt sales and other merchandise in next to no time.

So, what is he worth?

If you haven’t realised by this part of the article, the likelihood of Ronaldo moving from Real Madrid this summer is unclear – but who doesn’t love to speculate?

For what it is worth, Ronaldo is not a player who would be invested in for a long-term project – for instance, Guardiola’s Manchester City. But, there’s no doubting that he would prove a terrific addition to any side in world football.

More importantly, a move for Ronaldo, at what would be a world-record fee, would certainly leave its mark on the transfer market. The long-term consequences of a world-record fee would only raise the expectation of transfer fees.

But, it is hard to put an exact figure on Ronaldo’s worth. There’s no doubting that the ability he possesses in a football sense and a marketing sense ensures that any successful transfer bid this summer would have to break the current record of £89 million for Paul Pogba. If it does happen, expect the fee to be well into the triple figures.