Real Madrid superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo has surprised his fans by how he chose to ‘spend’ his Champions League bonus of nearly £500,000.
According to reports from Spain, the Portuguese footballer NEVER touched the money. Instead, he asked agent Jorge Mendes to give the huge haul to ‘the needy’.
Spanish journalist, Pipi Estrada revealed that, before last week’s final, the Real Madrid superstar “had spoken with (agent) Jorge Mendes and asked him to take charge of distributing the money to the needy”.
Three-time world player of the year Ronaldo sparked doubts over his fitness with a muted display in the showpiece against Atletico Madrid in Milan, although he fired the penalty shootout winner.
But any short-term criticism he receives might be overshadowed by the long-term good his donation of 600,000 Euros (£463,000) will do.
The Sun UK reports that “Last year Ronaldo, 31, was third on the Forbes rich list of sporting competitors, reportedly earning £34million from pay and bonuses PLUS £17m from endorsements.
“That total of £51m pipped the £47.5m reputedly accrued by Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.
“But even their combined earnings were eclipsed by two boxing legends, Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao picking up £103m and American Floyd Mayweather £193m.”
Ronaldo has however insisted that none of that matters to him. He won three Premier League titles and the Champions League with United, before taking the Spanish crown and twice more Europe’s top domestic competition with Real.