Ronaldo - I'm worth it

Real Madrid's new superstar defends world record fee

Last updated: 4th July 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ronaldo - I'm worth it

Ronaldo: World's most expensive player

The great players cost a lot of money, and if you want them you have to pay it. I'm happy to be the most expensive player in the world.

Ronaldo on Real switch
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Cristiano Ronaldo says that if Real Madrid were willing to pay £80million to Manchester United for his signature then it is a 'fair' price.

The Portugal international has set a new world record transfer fee for a footballer this summer after leaving the Premier League champions to join the Liga giants.

Uefa president Michel Platini was "embarrassed" by the amount of money Real have spent on Ronaldo, while Red Devils legend Bobby Charlton described the money involved as "a little bit vulgar".

However, Ronaldo has brushed aside any concerns over the transfer fee, especially in the current economic downturn, and claims he is pleased to be the most expensive player in football history.

Fair figure

"I think that it's a fair figure. If Manchester United and Real Madrid agree this amount, then there is nothing more to say," he told Marca.

"The great players cost a lot of money, and if you want them you have to pay it. I'm happy to be the most expensive player in the world.

"This (price tag) isn't something I'm going to think about when I go out on to the pitch, so it's not going to affect me. I've been used to having pressure for a long time.

"I know that they are going to demand a lot of me to be successful at the club and I know that I'm going to have much more pressure than at Manchester United, because I was there for many years. But it means a new challenge and is going to help me be the best footballer."

Disagree

In response to those who have qualms about so much money being spent on one footballer, he added: "I respect everyone's opinions, but I don't agree with these people.

"If Real Madrid have paid so much money, it's because they wanted me and have considered it a fair price.

"I'm going to try to do everything in my hands to play very well and I will show that the money they are paying for me has been a good decision."