How did “Cristiano Ronaldo Gate” end for the Portuguese national team? With a measure that can be considered almost symbolic of the impact it can have on the striker. Leaving the Portugal squad after disagreements with coach Jorge Jesus cost the 41-year-old a 30-day suspension and a fine that could well be called negligible. Portuguese media have reported that the disciplinary committee of the Portuguese Football Federation has imposed a fine of around 255 euros on the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player, to punish his behavior.
Many have pointed out that this amount is completely ridiculous, given CR7's extraordinary income. Leaving aside his overall wealth, the large income from diverse activities in various commercial and real estate sectors, as well as sponsorship contracts, and considering only the salary he receives at Al-Nassr, it can be said that paying this fine is a "joke".
In fact, the striker's income at the Saudi club is estimated at around 200-208 million euros per year, or 3.85-4 million euros per week. In simple calculations, the 255 euro fine represents 0.00012% of the annual salary and 0.0064% of the money earned within seven days. With a typical calculation for such situations, it can be determined that Ronaldo only needs 39 seconds to earn the amount of the fine.
For this reason too, the conclusion of the case has been interpreted more as a way of closing it, trying to satisfy all parties. On the one hand, there are those who considered it necessary to impose a punitive measure even on an untouchable figure like Ronaldo, who in any case did not respect the rules. On the other hand, there are those who did not consider it fair to punish so harshly precisely a legend who has done so much for his country. It is no coincidence that the mitigating circumstances known in his favor have prevented him from facing a maximum suspension of six months. In this way, the player will be able to return to action practically immediately.
Those with a good memory cannot forget, for example, the measure taken in 2011 against Ricardo Carvalho, Ronaldo's former defender and teammate. He too left the squad after learning that he would not be starting against Cyprus and was punished in a completely different way: a one-year suspension, without a fine. His return to the Portuguese national team was only confirmed three years later, when he had the pleasure of winning the European Championship alongside CR7.
