Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Billionaire Buys Real Madrid 2 Soccer Stars —for $223M

Ronaldo, Kaká signed to Real Madrid under new billionaire owner

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 11, 2009 7:08 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Cristiano Ronaldo is now the highest-paid soccer star in the world, after the Portuguese winger was traded from Manchester United to Real Madrid for a record-breaking $131 million. It's Real's second eye-watering acquisition; on Monday, the club signed Brazilian forward Kaká from AC Milan for $92 million. As the Times of London reports, the two new players mark a splashy entrance for Florentino Perez, the Spanish billionaire who took over the club last week.

Brazil's Kaka fights for the ball with Paraguay's Julio Caceres during a World Cup 2010 qualifying soccer game in Recife, Brazil, Wednesday, June 10, 2009. Brazil won 2-1.
Brazil's Kaka fights for the ball with Paraguay's Julio Caceres during a World Cup 2010 qualifying soccer game in Recife, Brazil, Wednesday, June 10, 2009. Brazil won 2-1.   (AP Photo/Ricardo Moraes)
Brazil's Kaka reacts after scoring a goal against Uruguay during a World Cup 2010 qualifier soccer match in Montevideo, Saturday, June 6, 2009.
Brazil's Kaka reacts after scoring a goal against Uruguay during a World Cup 2010 qualifier soccer match in Montevideo, Saturday, June 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
Manchester United accepted a world record transfer offer for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid on Thursday, June 11, 2009.
Manchester United accepted a world record transfer offer for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid on Thursday, June 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/Paulo Duarte)
Real Madrid soccer club announced Monday the signing of Brazil international Kaka from Italy's AC Milan, allegedly paying the Italian club $92 million for the player.
Real Madrid soccer club announced Monday the signing of Brazil international Kaka from Italy's AC Milan, allegedly paying the Italian club $92 million for the player.   (AP Photo/Roberto Candia)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Forderon
Jun 12, 2009 5:19 AM CDT
This is why I like the NBA's CBA agreement. It allows teams to keep their franchise players by letting them offer more money than other teams can when the player is a free agent. This is why Duncan, Garnett, Bryant, etc. have all been on the same team for so long and why small market teams can win championships. Soccer is absolutely ridiculous with the completely open market that rich teams can dominate.
hungrydave
Jun 12, 2009 3:27 AM CDT
No, I think its a spending bubble and when clubs buy players who are in debt, where do you think that money is coming from? Yes, I know Real Madrid has a billionaire owner but that seems like over-spending to me. Players are paid more than enough as is. Did I mention anything about going back 90 years in time to get that kind of salary? No. Teams pay too much for players and many players get paid more in a week than most people do in a year.
hungrydave
Jun 11, 2009 12:46 PM CDT
That's ludicrous over-spending that has become all too normal in the modern game.

 
soccer • Kaka • Real Madrid • sports trade • Cristiano Ronaldo

More Newser Stories

Real Madrid Signs Argentine Ace, 7

Real Madrid Player Drops Trophy ... Under Bus

Brazil's Kaka Tops in Soccer

England Courts Fabio Capello for Head Coach

Is Sneijder Better than Beckham?
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne