Top 5 highest paid players at Real Madrid following Cristiano Ronaldo's departure

After the end of the football season, the fans eagerly wait for the next season to kick off but the midway through the off-season they get to see different contracts being extended, departures of some of their favourite players, and the arrivals of the ones who are needed at the moment.

While some players move to look for new challenges in their career, some may prefer to move in search of better contracts and more playing time.

Neymar Jr, who joined PSG and Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Juventus recently are the two biggest names in world football with the highest salary packages. Cristiano Ronaldo was handed a 4-year contract worth 120 Million euros which makes him the second highest paid footballer in the world only after Neymar Jr who earns around 36 Million Euros per year.

Cristiano Ronaldo played for Real Madrid for 9 seasons and was their highest-paid player over the years. Real Madrid are a team known to follow well-balanced salary structures and it is believed that Real Madrid chopped off the signings of Mbappe and Neymar respectively due to their high salary demands prior to their respective moves to FC Barcelona and PSG respectively.

Following the departure of Ronaldo to Juventus, let’s take a look at top 5 highest-paid players at Real Madrid at the moment:

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#5 Luka Modric - £180,000 per week

Luka Modric (In white)

The heart of Real Madrid’s midfield, 32-year-old Luka Modric is the fifth-highest paid footballer in their squad at the moment. Modric has a contract with Los Blancos until 30 July 2020 handing him £180,000 every week.

Luka Modric was signed in 2012 under Jose Mourihno from Tottenham Hotspur. Unable to impress in his first season, Modric became the main man of Real’s midfield from the 2013 season and has continued his top quality form until now even at the age of 32.

He also captained his national side Croatia and took them to the final of FIFA World Cup 2018 recently and was chosen as the 'Player of the tournament'.

The more times you hear the commentator calling out Modric’s name, the more beautiful football Real Madrid would be playing.

#4 Sergio Ramos - £200,000 per week

Real Madrid captain with the UCL trophy in Kiev

Real Madrid’s captain who led the Spanish giants to 3 consecutive UCL victories is the fourth highest-paid player in their squad. 32-year-old Sergio Ramos has a contract with the club until 30 July 2020 and has been the face of the club ever since his 2014 UCL Final heroics.

Ramos was signed from Sevilla in the summer of 2005 and has developed into one of La Liga’s top scorer, being a defender.

The current Real Madrid and Spanish national team’s captain is known for his leadership and always keeps the morale of his teammates high. He is known to be the best defender in the world for many years running and has paired well with Pepe and they are known as one of the best defensive pairs in the history of football.

Ramos has won 19 major honours with Real Madrid and also 2 Euro Cups and a FIFA World Cup with the Spanish national side. Ramos has successfully marked his name in Real Madrid’s as well as football’s history.

#3 Marcelo - £200,000 per week

Real Madrid's second choice captain Marcelo Viera.

The Real Madrid's second captain, Marcelo Viera is currently the 3rd highest-paid player in their squad. Marcelo is one the most passionate and loved players in the squad. The 30-year-old Brazilian defender is known to be the best left back in the world for his attacking, crossing and dribbling abilities.

Marcelo is a rare kind of defender who is mostly found in the upper half of the pitch but when needed, he runs down the pitch to defend and succeeds in doing so. Currently, there are speculations surrounding his future at Real Madrid as he is highly being linked with a move to Juventus following the move of his best friend on the pitch, Cristiano Ronaldo.

He is an asset for the Madrid side and Perez would definitely try anything to change his mind as the fans would not even like him to leave the club.

#2 Toni Kroos - £200,000 per week

Toni Kroos dribbling past Liverpool players.

The 28-year-old German midfielder more commonly known as the 'German Sniper' is another main man of the Real Madrid's lineup. Toni Kroos, known for his vision, passing accuracy and exceptional ball deliveries acts like an engine in the Real Madrid squad.

Kroos has a contract with Los Blancos until July 2022 and has become one of the undisputed rightful starters in the team. Real Madrid had many talents for the midfield but their already composed midfield gave no playing time for others. James Rodriguez last season and Kovacic this season made their mind to part ways with the club in search of more minutes.

Toni Kroos and Luka Modric had been the biggest reasons for Madrid's recent successes in the UCL with due respect to Cristiano Ronaldo, who used to finish what these midfielders created, into goals.

#1 Gareth Bale £350,000 per week

Gareth Bale celebrating his goal in the UCL Final in Kiev.

The most expensive player in the history of football until Neymar's tranfer to PSG, Gareth Bale is known to be the best player in the world after Ronaldo and Messi if injuries wouldn't have affected him on and off. The 29-year-old Welshman has a contract with Real until July 2022.

Bale signed for Real Madrid in the summer of 2013. He is somewhat the same player what Cristiano is, given his dribbling skills, pace, heading ability and free kick threats he produces.

Isco took over the starting place in the lineup when Bale was injured but he returned and did what he does best. He improvised his game play and recently starred in the UCL final, scoring two beauties. Though, Bale was upset about not being in the starting lineup for UCL final and said he's uncertain of his future at the Spanish capital.

Now that Ronaldo has gone, it would be the best time for Bale to shine under the new boss Lopetegui and he looks to stay, despite rumours linking him to Manchester United who had eyes on the player since many seasons. Gareth Bale is currently the highest paid player at Real Madrid and would have more playing time, following Ronaldo's departure.