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Florentino Perez: Real Madrid received 'highest value we could' for Ronaldo

FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP / Getty

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was hoping for a tidier sum when he green-lighted Cristiano Ronaldo's remarkable €100-million transfer to Juventus this summer.

Even though the Portuguese striker's contract contained a €1-billion release clause, Perez admitted Saturday that Ronaldo's personal wishes forced his hand and limited him in negotiations.

"The release clauses are not there to be paid," Perez said, according to Manu de Juan of AS. "If there has to be (a) sale, it is negotiated. We did not want to sell him, but he wanted to go for personal reasons and we understood that, for all the good things he had done, we had to open the door for him.

"We got the highest value we could."

The superstar reportedly had a strong desire to leave Los Blancos, as the 33-year-old was said to be frustrated at the lack of an improved contract offer by the club.

The Bianconeri paid a fraction of Ronaldo's release clause to secure his sought-after signature, as well as an additional €12 million in what was described as a "solidarity contribution" in an accompanying press release.

Following his move from Manchester United in the summer of 2009, Ronaldo spent nine award-laden seasons at Madrid, helping the side win four Champions League trophies, two La Liga titles, and two Copa del Reys. He also piled on individual accolades during his time in Spain, winning the Ballon d'Or on four occasions between 2013-17.

His goal-scoring touch evaded him in his first three matches in Serie A before he notched a brace in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Sassuolo. His first Champions League appearance of the season was marred by controversy, though. The Portuguese forward received a controversial red card - his first in the competition - following an incident with Valencia defender Jeison Murillo.

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