Cristiano Ronaldo's massive paycheck worries Bayern Munich chief Rummenigge
Cristiano Ronaldo's massive new contract with Real Madrid surely has the Portuguese star smiling, but not everyone is on board with the pay hike. Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says the Bundesliga can't compete with wages comparable to the amount Ronaldo reportedly will rake in.
"Real Madrid have just renewed with three players and Ronaldo now supposedly earns €20.5m after taxes," Rummenigge told Sport Bild, via Goal.com. "There is not even a single player in the Bundesliga who makes that kind of money before taxes!"
Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos also received new contracts, tying them to the Spanish giants for the foreseeable future. While it's understandable that Real Madrid would act fast to lock up their own players -- especially with a transfer ban looming -- Rummenigge does have a point.
With a monster new television deal, Premier League clubs are able to splash the cash to entice players from all leagues. And that applies to all of the EPL clubs these days, not just the Big Four or historical powerhouses. Real Madrid and Barcelona have the funds to do the same.
As far as the Bundesliga goes, it's basically just Bayern that can afford to break the bank on a number of players. Borussia Dortmund have financial might, but nowhere near the same level as Bayern and other top-level European clubs. Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke also conceded the Bundesliga is in danger of becoming a feeder league.
"Our players will not be leaving for Stoke City, but there are plenty of Bundesliga players who could double or treble their wages there."
Troubling times for the Bundesliga, indeed.
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