Ronaldo: I Could Have Been Worth $333m
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo "does not agree" with the money being spent on young players in the modern game.
Cristiano Ronaldo believes a 25-year-old version of himself would be worth up to $333million (€300m) in today's transfer market.
Juventus splashed out $124m (€112m) including add-ons when they signed the Portugal captain from Real Madrid in 2018.
Only five players – Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Joao Felix, Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho – have commanded larger fees.
Two members of the quintet made their mega-money moves as teenagers and Ronaldo, now 34, has reservations about the increasing prices for youngsters who are yet to prove themselves at the top level.
"Today there is a lot of focus on potential and the football industry is different," the superstar forward told Portuguese broadcaster TVI.
"I'll put the case of Joao Felix aside. Nowadays any player is worth $110m (€100m), even without proof. There is more money in football.
"Central defenders and goalkeepers are worth $78million (€70m), $89million (€80m).
"I do not agree with it, but this is the world we live in. The market is like that, we have to respect it."
Ronaldo formerly held the all-time transfer fee record after Madrid forked out $104m (€94m) to prise him away from Manchester United in 2009.
Asked how much he would be worth aged 25 in modern terms, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner replied: "It is hard to calculate.
"If a goalkeeper is worth $83m (€75m), a player who has done what I had must be worth three to four times more. Easy.
"But I have no such illusion."
