5 highest release clauses of players according to Football Manager 2018

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (£892 million)

Ronaldo has beaten Messi here without a doubt!

Cristiano Ronaldo. Nothing more need be said even to those who have a passing interest in football. He has been on a constant duel with Lionel Messi to establish his name on the top of all footballing charts but is some distance away from his greatest rival in leading the line along with Real Madrid team-mates Bale and Benzema having a release clause of £892 million in his contract.

Ronaldo, procured by Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon was the first player to come close to a €100 million transfer fee when he signed for Real Madrid in 2009 for a staggering £80 million (€94 million). Ronaldo has since gone to become one of the greatest Real Madrid players of all time. He was the first to have a release clause of €1 Billion or £892 Million.

Lionel Messi, by comparison, has a pocket change release clause of £267 million, once thought to be unreachable. There are rumours that Barcelona want it to touch the mark Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale hold at the very least and could go even higher to make Messi unreachable by any club.

It is still extremely unlikely that these release clauses could be ever met but with so many clubs having annual incomes of entire countries and the increased commercial interests and benefits in sponsoring a move for one these mega-stars, it is not impossible to see the contracts of these players bought out.

Since we got this information from Football Manager 2018, we could breathe easy and immerse ourselves knowing this will not happen in this year's game because all the transfer money comes from the club budget. Realism? You tell me!