Cristiano Ronaldo’s hidden contract clauses paint frustrations in new light

Cristiano Ronaldo has cut a frustrated figure at Man Utd this season – and their poor performances have left three clauses in his contract in little danger of being achieved

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United return was expected to turn them into Premier League title contenders.

The capture of the Portuguese icon was supposed to be a breakthrough moment for the Red Devils and their quest to get back to the top.

Instead, frustrations have run high and expectations are nowhere near being met with Cristiano Ronaldo making his feelings known on several occasions.

Earlier this month, he made it clear in an honest interview that their current performances are unacceptable and he expects more from his team-mates.

And he let his frustrations boil over again in their win over Brentford this week with an angry reaction to being substituted by interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

It is clear Ronaldo is a fierce competitor and expects the very best, winning trophies at the highest level.

But some of the clauses in his Manchester United contract give a new perspective on why he is finding their current struggles so tough to handle.

Much was made of the big-money contract Ronaldo signed at United, worth a reported £475,000-a-week basic.

But less has been made of three big-money bonuses installed in his contract.

According to the Daily Star, Ronaldo, who took a significant pay cut when he moved from Juventus, agreed to three £1million clauses.

Can Cristiano Ronaldo win another Ballon d’Or whilst at Man Utd? Have your say in the comments section!

He is due to net a seven-figure pay-out for any of the following achievements – winning the Champions League, winning the Ballon d’Or or winning the UEFA Player of the Year.

Whilst United are still in the Champions League and Ronaldo could theoretically secure more individual accolades, recent performances mean the chances of landing any of those bonuses are fading rapidly.

Many United players are also reported to have pay cuts factored into their contracts if they miss out on Champions League football, although it is unclear whether this is included in Ronaldo’s deal.

Either way, United’s struggles leave Ronaldo set to miss out on significant financial windfalls which he could have achieved if they met expectations.

Speaking about their current struggles to Sky Sports earlier this month, Ronaldo said: ”Manchester United should win the league or be second or third.

“I don’t see other positions for Manchester United to be honest, I don’t see. In my eyes, I don’t accept that our mentality be less than to be in the top three.

“We are capable to change things now. I don’t know the specific way I’m a player, not the coach, the president, I know the way but I’m not going to mention it here because I think it’s not ethic [sic] from my part to say that.

“What I can say and something I can say we are in control, we can do it better, all of us. Manchester belongs in important things, we have to change that.

“I don’t want to be here in a club to fight to be in sixth or seventh or fifth place, I’m here to try to win, to compete. I think we compete but we are not yet at our best level.

“[There is a] long way to improve and I believe if we change our mind, we can achieve big things.”