Welshman Gareth Bale has overtaken teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to become the world’s highest-paid footballer. Bale signed a new deal with European Champions Real Madrid which will keep him at the club until 2022.
Bale’s deal will see him earning roughly $AU560,000 per week, compared to Ronaldo’s estimated weekly salary of $AU462,000.
There had been speculation that Bale would return to the cashed up Premier League, where he played with Tottenham before being signed by Real in 2013. Bale’s transfer fee of $AU135million was at the time a record, but has since been overtaken.
The record is currently held by French footballer Paul Pogba, who signed for Manchester United from Italian club Juventus for $AU142million.
Bale’s buyout clause has been set just under $AU1.5 billion, a clause estimated to be one of the highest ever in world sport.
While the ever competitive Ronaldo – who at 31 is four years older than Bale – is likely to be miffed at being overtaken, he still reigns supreme in overall earnings due to endorsements. Forbes estimates that Ronaldo brings in $AU42million per year in endorsements, making him the most marketable footballer on the planet.
Ronaldo will also have the chance to jump over Bale’s earnings tally when his deal is renegotiated later in the year. Ronaldo is favoured to take out the 2016 Ballon d’Or award for world’s best footballer, an award for which Bale is also nominated.
Real Madrid have splurged in recent months, re-signing a number of their own players to new deals. Real – along with crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid – have been slapped with a transfer ban relating to underage players, meaning they are unable to bring in any new signings until the start of 2018.
Real are currently sitting two points clear on top of the La Liga ladder, a competition they have won only once since 2008 despite winning two Champions League titles in that time.
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