Cristiano Ronaldo is fuming as Griezmann now earns more than him

Cristiano is characterised by his need to be the best at everything he does. He works harder than anybody, he looks after himself and destroys all that stands in his way. He eats, sleeps and breathes like a monk so he can give 120%. He overturns results on the pitch. He shines when it comes to scoring goals, although his style means he only appears semi-regularly in a match. Just goal after goal after goal. He doesn't have any rival in that regard, the records show that.

However something is bothering him: money. He can't accept that his yearly earnings are inferior to the elite footballers he is competing against. The devil is whispering in his ear when he compares himself with them. He sends out threats, blackmail, becomes upset and fights over what he considers an injustice. But this way of acting doesn't make you many friends despite them patting you on the back.

FROM BAD TO WORSE

"It was nice to have played for Real Madrid," Cristiano said after winning the Champions League in Kiev. The motive behind that comment was because he's still earning less than Lionel Messi and Neymar. Cristiano is convinced that he's better than both so he wants to earn more than them too. That's his right. But Florentino Perez doesn't share the same point of view. Messi earns €70m per year, almost double the €44m Cristiano is on. Neymar earns €50m since moving to PSG.

This is creating a sour mood. Cristiano is showing his egotistical side, defending what he believes to be true. But rather than getting closer - or surpassing the main two - Antoine Griezmann's new deal sees him slot into third place and pushes Cristiano down to fourth.

The only area where Cristiano is number one is when it comes to buyout clauses. Cristiano's stands at €1000m, Messi's €700m and Griezmann's is a mere €200m. Neymar, now playing in France where buyout clauses aren't mandatory, doesn't have one.