Soccer
The devaluation of Cristiano Ronaldo
With his decision to make the move to Saudi Arabia and his continued aging, there has been a significant drop in the sporting value of the Portugal legend.
At nearly 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to perform at an elite level, even as he approaches the twilight of his career and plays outside the spotlight of European football’s top competitions.
Currently competing in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo’s form remains enviable, all things considered. Despite recent title droughts with Al Nassr, the Portuguese star has proven he can still perform, both with his club and his national team, demonstrating his goal-scoring prowess, occasionally reminiscent of his prime years.
However, one battle Ronaldo cannot win is against time. His market value has significantly declined in recent years—a natural consequence of age but a stark contrast for a player of his stature.
Since leaving European football and moving to Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo’s market value has continued to drop, now reaching what is likely the lowest point in his career over the past two decades.
According to the specialized market platform Transfermarkt, Ronaldo’s current valuation has fallen to $12 million, a sharp contrast to his peak years. While this decline is expected over time, it is nonetheless notable for a player of his caliber.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s market value over the years
- Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United (2004): Ronaldo debuted with a market value of $18 million, which rose to $60 million during his time with Manchester United before his blockbuster move to Real Madrid for $100 million.
- Peak at Real Madrid: During his long and successful tenure with Los Blancos, Ronaldo reached his all-time peak market value of $120 million, as reported by Transfermarkt.
- Juventus era: At the time of his transfer to Juventus, his valuation dropped slightly to $100 million, eventually declining to $45 million by the time of his return to Manchester United.
- Second Manchester United spell: In this phase, his market value fell further to $20 million.
- Al Nassr period: Over the last two years with Al Nassr, his value decreased from $15 million to its current $12 million, marking the lowest point in his professional career spanning two decades.
Although his market valuation has dipped, Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence and legacy remain very much intact, as he continues to defy expectations on the field even in the later stages of his extraordinary career.
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