Cristiano Ronaldo linked with Manchester United, Manchester City and PSG following 'sadness' comment

Tuesday 04 September 2012 14:04 BST

Cristiano Ronaldo pictured after scoring his first goal against Granada (GETTY IMAGES)

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Cristiano Ronaldo's statement on Sunday that he is "sad" has sparked rumours that he could be set for an exit from Real Madrid.

The forward's comments came after his side's 3-0 victory over Granada - a match in which Ronaldo scored twice to reach the incredible milestone of 150 goals in 150 games for the La Liga champions.

During the match, Ronaldo made a very public show of discontent, refusing to celebrate after hitting the back of the net. After the game, he spoke to the media in which he revealed he was sad but refused to elaborate.

The reason for the world's most expensive player's unhappiness is not certain. There are claims that he is upset with his team-mates for the lack of support in his battle to be recognised as the best player on the planet. It has been claimed he is not talking to Marcelo, who after Euro 2012 said that Iker Casillas should win the Ballon d'Or at the end of the year and not his team's greatest goal threat.

The most popular suggestion is that he is unhappy at no longer being the best paid player in the world. Ronaldo earns €13m a year at the Bernabeu - which works out at £215,000-a-week. That puts him behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic who is on £240,000-a-week after signing for Paris Saint-Germain, Wayne Rooney's £250,000-a-week at Old Trafford and the world's highest earner - Samuel Eto'o - who reportedly earns £330,000-a-week at Russian club Anzhi.

There have been more ridiculous suggestions as well, with one betting firm offering odds of 5/1 that his sadness is due to him running out of hair gel.

Today, there are rumours that Manchester City, Manchester United and PSG could bid for the Portuguese international in light of his comments. One newspaper goes as far as to suggest City are lining up a £95m deal.

Although any move seems very unlikely. It is understood club president Florentino Perez and director general Jose Angel Sanchez have called Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes, who confirmed there was no offer on the table from any other clubs for his client.

PSG have also distanced themselves from a move, with sporting director Leonardo telling the media today: "Ronaldo is a Real Madrid player. We don't talk about others teams' players - that's respect.

"Ibrahimovic is the best striker in the world. So why hire Ronaldo? Zlatan is unique. When we talk about the best players, there is Ronaldo and Messi - but they are not strikers. The best striker, that's Zlatan."

There is a release clause in Ronaldo's contract - but that stands at €1bn - even for all the wealth at PSG and City, paying such a sum is inconceivable.

Ronaldo's relationship with Jose Mourinho is also understood to be harmonious, with the player seen asking his manager's permission before disappearing down the tunnel after Sunday's victory.

Ronaldo was applauded off by supporters after the win which left Real five points behind Barcelona going into the international break.

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