Ronaldo's worth every cent, say new Real Madrid teammates

Cristiano Ronaldo's wage demands may be sky high, but inside the Real Madrid dressing room there are no complaints about his superstar status.

The Portuguese striker's world record £80million move from Manchester United is set to be ratified this week - after his agent made a last-ditch move to squeeze even more cash for his client.

So will Ronaldo, who will earn £175,000 a week next season, be branded "greedy" by his new team-mates?

No, says Spain international defender Sergio Ramos.

"People always try and talk about what players are earning, but the truth is the only people who know are the club, the player and the player's agent," said Ramos.

"If you are happy with your deal you are not worried what other players are earning.

"It is up to your agent to look after your contract, and Madrid look after their players very well so I do not see there being any problem in regards to that."

Ramos added: "People talk about Ronaldo and Kaka being the start of a new Galactico era, but what not everybody knows is that Galactico was a word used by the press and not the club.

"Real Madrid always try and sign the best players in the world because we are the biggest and most famous club in the world. It really is as simple as that.

"Ronaldo has been the best player in the world for two years now and it is fitting that he will now wear the white shirt of Madrid.

"To wear that white shirt means you have reached the very top, there is no greater honour.

"A lot has been made of Ronaldo's price tag because he has broken the record, but the club obviously think it is a fair price or they would not have paid it.

"It is a big number, but we hope it will turn out to be a great deal. When Zinedine Zidane joined for a record fee people could not believe it, but when you look back all those years on you have to say it looked like one of the best deals ever.

"If Ronaldo helps us to La Liga and European Cups the fee will be insignificant.

"The atmosphere at Madrid is one of excitement, we have signed two of the best players in the world and expectations next season will be very high. Madrid has not been where it should have been the last few years, but with the signing of Ronaldo and Kaka we hope to get back on track next season."

Wigan's new Spanish manager Roberto Martinez believes Cristiano Ronaldo could come to realise the Premier League is the best in the world - and one day return.

Martinez, at 35 the youngest boss in England's top flight, insists no one should begrudge Ronaldo the chance to fulfil his dream of playing for Real Madrid. But he warned the winger that La Liga will provide a limited challenge and he may miss the life he left behind at United.

"It wouldn't surprise me if Ronaldo decided sometime to come back," said Martinez. "The Premier League is the best in the world.

"I can understand that if he didn't try it in Spain he would probably regret it for the rest of his life."

sport@sundaymirror.co.uk