Ronaldo’s audition to prove he’s worth €60m a year

James Shearman

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:47 CDT
• 3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to use Portugal's game against Hungary as an audition for a transfer to either Manchester United or Real Madrid this summer.

The Serie A top goalscorer is ready to leave Juventus, while the Italian side are also happy to sell the veteran as they aim to cut costs and construct a younger side this summer.

With the Old Lady €400 million in debt, the 36-year-old’s £60m annual gross salary is too much of a burden to justify a fourth-place finish in the league.

Ronaldo needs to convince his two former clubs to move for him given his astronomical wage demands.

READ MORE: Real Madrid's 10 most expensive signings of all time

But how much will it take to secure a move?

Ronaldo to leave?

Ronaldo will line up against Hungary on Tuesday as Portugal look to earn three points in their first match of the European Championship.

Kylian Mbappe's France and Kai Havertz's Germany are then up next in 'the group of death' so the Hungary game clearly provides the best opportunity for the legendary striker to prove his worth once more.

Ronaldo is expected to play up front, with Man Utd talisman Bruno Fernandes behind him, meaning the Red Devils could be eager to see how the pair work together ahead of any potential bid.

Man United are in the market for an attacker this summer and one would think that a Fernandes assist for a Ronaldo goal, or vice versa, would encourage manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to demand his board get the deal over the line. How Fernandes would respond to giving up penalty duties at club level, in addition to international level, is another question however.

As for Real Madrid, who don't boast any of Portugal's likely starters, it may be a case of reminiscing over the club's all-time top scorer and deciding whether or not he can still perform at the highest level.

That said, 29 goals in 31 Serie A starts for Juventus would suggest he's not showing signs of slowing down.

While Madrid president Florentino Perez has denied recently that Madrid will try to re-sign their former star, Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes is hard at work looking for suitors.

Ronaldo has one year left on his contract in Turin, and it is reported that Juve would be looking for a transfer fee in the region of €30m to let their man go.

Thus, together with Ronaldo’s salary, it will be a hugely expensive operation for Madrid or Man Utd.

Such an expensive move for a 36-year-old has perhaps never been made before, but if Ronaldo continues to score for fun at Euro 2020 then a return to the Bernabeu or Old Trafford is more than possible.