Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is demanding close to a £17million pay hike to stay with the Spanish giants.
According to Sport, the Portuguese forward has made it clear to Real’s hierarchy that he wants monetary parity with Barcelona rival Lionel Messi or he will leave.
Ronaldo earns £18.6m a year at the Santiago Bernabeu but wants those figures to rise to £35.5m.
The publication adds that this is because of the salary that Messi earns at the Nou Camp following his recently signed deal.
Ronaldo has been left frustrated by Real president Florentino Perez who has stalled on offering him an improved contract.
Reports in Spain have said that the 32-year-old was promised one after spearheading Real to a La Liga and Champions League double last season.
That hasn’t materialised and Ronaldo feels undervalued, citing this as a reason for his goalscoring woes at the moment.
Ronaldo, who has been linked with a return to Manchester United, signed his current five-year contract – which runs until 2021 – in November 2016.