Cristiano Ronaldo believes a 25-year-old version of himself would be worth up to €300million in today s transfer market.
Juventus splashed out €112m including add-ons when they signed the Portugal captain from Real Madrid in 2018.
Only five players – Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Joao Felix, Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho – have commanded larger fees.
Two members of the quintet made their mega-money moves as teenagers and Ronaldo, now 34, has reservations about the increasing prices for youngsters who are yet to prove themselves at the top level.
Today there is a lot of focus on potential and the football industry is different, the superstar forward told Portuguese broadcaster TVI.
I ll put the case of Joao Felix aside. Nowadays any player is worth €100m, even without proof. There is more money in football.
Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut on this day in 2003!
158 caps
88 goals
EURO 2016
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Central defenders and goalkeepers are worth €70million, €80million.
I do not agree with it, but this is the world we live in. The market is like that, we have to respect it.
Ronaldo formerly held the all-time transfer fee record after Madrid forked out €94m to prise him away from Manchester United in 2009.
Asked how much he would be worth aged 25 in modern terms, the five-time Ballon d Or winner replied: It is hard to calculate.
If a goalkeeper is worth €75m, a player who has done what I had must be worth three to four times more. Easy.
But I have no such illusion.
