Club paid more for Ronaldo than bale

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has revealed that Gareth Bale may not be the world’s most expensive player, claiming the club paid more for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Perez was asked on Spanish television regarding the cost of Bale’s life insurance and whether the winger had been insured for £78m.

Perez, speaking to Intereconomia television, said, “Yes, sure. It’s a life insurance, against accidents. Bale is insured for the amount he cost.”

Madrid signed Ronaldo for £80m from Manchester United which means, according to Perez’s statement, the Portuguese winger cost £2m more than Bale.

Perez confirmed Bale is hoping to return to action against Malaga on Saturday, which would be his first game since the Madrid derby loss against Atletico on September 28.

“(He is) calm and ready, waiting to play on Saturday,” Perez told Spanish radio programme Punto Pelota.

“Everyone knows that, because he didn’t have a good pre-season, he suffered from muscle fatigue in the thigh. He is training well and wants to play and show that all this is just something over nothing.

“All of the doctors have made it clear that a small disc bulge is relatively common in elite footballers. Not all athletes have scans, so not all of those that have these disc bulges know they have them. Elite athletes suffer more with the back and can handle it, but this is something normal. A big deal has been made out of something normal.”