Cristiano Ronaldo may be the highest-paid athlete in the world, following his move to Al Nassr, but he could be owed even more money be Juventus.
Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia is said to be earning him a rather tidy £173 million-a-year, until his contract ends in 2025, although it will see him face much worse opposition.
It means that the forward has overtaken rival Lionel Messi as the highest paid athlete, with the PSG star's own teammate Neymar rounding off the top three.
But he could boost his own ridiculous income by suing Juve, should some leaked documents from the club prove to be right about them owing him money.
Advert
The Old Lady were plunged into a world of controversy back in November, with the entire board at the club, including Pavel Nedved, stepping down.
It came amidst an investigation into the club over, amongst other things, the 'hidden payments' to players during the Covid season, when players agreed to lower their wages.
Previously it's been called the 'heaviest investigation' the club has faced, which is some claim considering they've been relegated following one previously.
One problem they could face is having to hand over millions to Ronaldo, after a document published by Il Corriere della Sera appeared to show they owe him €19.6 million.
The document says that they'd deliver ‘the Supplementary Bonus Agreement reproduced on the federal forms ‘Other Scriptures’ not available today, and the Supplementary Writing duly signed.’
The form is signed by Fabio Paratici, then sporting director of the Bianconeri and now at Tottenham Hotspur, but not be the five time Ballon d'Or winner.
Repubblica claims that the player never received the document to sign but that it still suggests he should be owed the money, which he could sue for.
In theory, the document and the money should never have existed, according to a wiretap of Juventus director Cesare Gabasio and Federico Cherubini, which has been published by Italian media.
Ronaldo arrived in Italy from Real Madrid in 2018, having just won his fourth Champions League title with Los Blancos, and fifth overall.
Juve had won the Italian title for seven years in-a-row before he arrived, and they were hoping signing the Champions League all time top scorer would lead them to European success.
Instead he only helped them take their dominance in Italy to nine titles consecutively, before failing to win it in his final season at the Allianz Stadium, but did nothing for them in the Champions League.
The former United star made his first appearance in Saudi Arabia on Thursday night, taking part in a friendly for an All Star XI against PSG.
Whilst Lionel Messi opened the scoring for his side, Ronaldo then enjoyed himself with two goals and had a brilliant performance.
However, it was the French champions who ultimately won the game, winning 5-4 after goals from Marquinhos, Sergio Ramos, Kylian Mbappe and Hugo Ekitike added to Messi's opener.
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus, Serie A, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Al Nassr
Ryan Sidle