Should Real Madrid increase Cristiano Ronaldo's salary? LaLiga - Real Madrid The reasons for and against

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to be earning the same amount of money as Lionel Messi and Neymar, but Real Madrid are not currently keen to increase his wages.

But should they be?

He renewed just last season, but a lot has changed since then, so there are arguments for and against below, as well as our poll, where you can have your say.

Four reasons for No

By Pablo Polo

1. He is far from his best form

Ronaldo isn't at his best right now, at least in LaLiga, where he has just four goals.

With Real Madrid in a sporting crisis right now, this might not be the best time to challenge the club, as it might be better to focus on improving results.

2. He already renewed

His last renewal was in November of 2016 and his current deal runs until he is 36.

He'll be making more money than most, even at this age.

Although Messi and Neymar may have signed bumper deals since, Real Madrid cannot act based on the seasons or on what other clubs do.

3. We're in 2018

He may have been the best player of 2017, but we're now in 2018.

Ronaldo won so many awards last year, and they were well deserved, but we're now in 2018.

4. An imprecise ranking

The ranking of players' salaries doesn't make much sense, as the best player doesn't always make the most.

Do people really think the difference in salary between a first division and third-tier player is the same ratio as the difference in their ability.

Four reasons for Yes

By Sergio Fernandez

1. It's in line with Florentino Perez's praise

If my boss were to continually say in public that I'm irreplaceable and that I'm the best journalist in the history of MARCA then it shouldn't be a surprise if I were to also try to update my salary from time to time.

I don't know if Ronaldo deserves this pay increase or not, but Florentino Perez always says that Ronaldo is the best player in the world and in history.

That the player wants his umpteenth contract renewal is in line with what is said by the club's hierarchy.

2. The market has changed

While Messi and Ronaldo's contract situations are always slightly different, it's true that they've gone up almost in line with each other's over their careers.

But now Messi's is worth double Ronaldo's.

As much as Messi might be the better player right now, the end of the season - where Ronaldo could be at his best - is still to come, as well the World Cup.

3. A survival plan

Ronaldo has expressed that he has been "sad" on other occasions, but once he has sorted things out with the club he has returned to exceptional form.

Being fair, Ronaldo has paid back every euro he's earned and has brought so many individual and collective titles to the club.

Real Madrid still have the Copa del Rey and the Champions League to fight for this season and, with an on-form Ronaldo, this could still be a not-terrible year for the club.

4. It's an investment

If Real Madrid are actually thinking about renewing, then selling at the end of the season a Ronaldo who has won a title and had a good World Cup will be a lot easier.

It could, after selling him, turn out to have been profitable for Real Madrid to have improved the contract.