Cristiano Ronaldo’s release fee €1bn, says agent

Cristiano Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes has revealed the lengths to which potential suitors for the Portuguese would have to go to sign him from Real Madrid.

Speaking to the Spanish daily sports newspaper AS, Mendes claimed the release clause in Ronaldo’s contract to be €1bn, amid rumours the 29-year-old is unhappy at the Bernabéu and that Manchester United, among others, are considering a move for their former striker.

Mendes, however, admits he does not expect such ambitions to linger, given the eye-watering cost of freeing the Portugal international from his contract.

He said: “I no longer get calls from anyone asking about Cristiano. It’s not worth them calling to ask for it. The price is that stated in his release clause – €1bn (£785m).”

Mendes then proceeded to sprinkle in some more outlandish figures regarding the potential of his client, who he insisted will end his career at Madrid.

“We will never find one like (Ronaldo),” he said. “It is true he is getting better and will continue to improve until he is 40. Cristiano has no limits. Besides being the best footballer in history, he is the greatest athlete of all time. There will be no one like him in the next 500 years.”