Cristiano Ronaldo in pay dispute worth MILLIONS

Robin Bairner

• 27 Sept 2025 09:50 BST
• 4 min read

News

Cristiano Ronaldo remains locked in legal battle with one of his former clubs over unpaid wages worth potentially millions to the legendary star.

Ronaldo has enjoyed a storied career that has seen him play for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and now Al-Nassr, with goals and success following him at every turn.

The Portugal star commands a wage worthy of a five-time Ballon d'Or winner and is currently the best-paid player in the world game.

Current ETV

Cristiano Ronaldo 

F (C)

Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo 

F (C)

Al-Nassr

€10.4M

ETV Range

€9.4M - €11.5M

View full profile

He feels, though, that he has not been paid his dues by Serie A outfit Juventus and is currently fighting for a payment of nearly €20m that he claims his former side owe him in unpaid wages.

Tuttomercato has detailed the ongoing situation, which is set to be resolved on 12 January 2026.

Ronaldo initially started the proceedings against Juventus in June 2023, claiming that he is owed €19.5m by the Serie A side, who had deferred or halted some salary payments to players during the Covid-19 crisis.

Nearly a year later, a tribunal ruled partially in favour of the Man Utd legend by agreeing that he is owed €9.7m plus interest – around half of what he wanted.

Juventus appealed this decision but in March 2025, Ronaldo entered a legal process to declare a 2021 “reduction agreement” that he signed be declared null and void, opening the door for him to receive his full €19.6m claim.

After a court hearing on 24 September, the case was adjourned until January, when a final decision will be made.

Timeline of Ronaldo’s pay dispute with Juventus

March-June 2020: Juventus halt or defer some salaries due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which shuts down football.

2020/21 season: The deferred payments relate to the 2020/21 financial year. Ronaldo claims there was an agreement to replay three of the four deferred months.

August 2021: Ronaldo leaves Juventus to sign for Man Utd. There are disputes over what agreements were signed before his departure and whether he recognised Juve had “no further obligations”.

December 2022: Reports emerge that Ronaldo wants €19-20m from Juventus in deferred salary payments.

19 June 2023: Ronaldo starts arbitration proceedings against Juve, claiming he is owed around €19.5m.

17 April 2024: A tribunal rules partially in favour of Ronaldo. He is awarded €9.7-9.8m plus interest.

23 May 2024: Juventus announce they will appeal the decision.

10 May 2025: Reports emerge that Juve are still trying to reduce the amount they must pay Ronaldo.

24-26 September 2025: An additional hearing takes place. Juve file an appeal against the April 2024 ruling. It emerges that Ronaldo filed in March for the reduction agreement to be scrapped, opening the possibility of receiving his full €20m payment.

12 January 2026: A final decision will be reached.

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