Cristiano Ronaldo has asked Real Madrid for a significant pay rise, according to the programme 'Jugones' on Spanish TV channel La Sexta.

The show claims that the Portuguese forward, who is currently reported to earn about 21m euros net a year at Real, wants to see that figure increase to above 40m.

Cristiano wants to earn more than Messi, Neymar

Cristiano's new demands are said to be motivated by a desire to be the world's best-paid player ahead of Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar, who are both understood to be on around 40m a season after tax.

However, 'Jugones' adds that Real are reluctant to break their wage structure and, having handed him a new contract as recently as November, are refusing to countenance the proposed improvement in his salary.