Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid Officially Agree to New Contract Through 2018

Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo have officially come to an agreement on a new deal that will keep the superstar with the club 2018.

That’s according to Real’s official club website, via ESPN, which states that a Bernabeu announcement will soon follow regarding the news.

As things stood, Ronaldo’s contract was set to expire in the summer of 2015, creating some concern as to whether or not the Portuguese maestro would remain at the Bernabeu past next summer, with the club presumably unwilling to let the star leave their shores for free.

Sky Sports have backed up the claims on Twitter:

According to Spanish publication Marca, via 101GreatGoals.com, the new deal will see Ronaldo net a reported €17 million yearly salary, €1 million per year more than Lionel Messi earns at Barcelona.

With the arrival of Gareth Bale at Real Madrid, there was the notion that the Welshman had perhaps been brought in as an eventual heir to the Ronaldo throne, should the Spaniards’ established star set off for pastures new (or old if Old Trafford were his destination).

However, any such fears have been allayed as the 28-year-old now looks set to see out the rest of his prime years with Los Blancos.

Although Bale’s £85 million transfer fee may eclipse Ronaldo’s £80 million move to the Spanish capital in the summer of 2009, Real Madrid have pointed out just who their biggest star is by moving so swiftly to seal the new deal.

Netting more than £76 million (€90m) over the course of the next five years, Ronaldo is set to become the world’s best-paid player.