Ronaldo deal worth $75m a year to Real Madrid; and combined $175m with Kaka

A world-record transfer for Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid CF would be worth up to $75m a season in revenue to the Spanish giants, according to research commissioned by Weber Shandwick Sport with one of the world's leading sport business experts.

The international profile of the Portuguese current FIFA World Player of the Year will drive a sharp increase in shirt and merchandising sales, sponsorship revenue, match ticket sales and global fan base. He will also increase Real Madrid's opportunities for tour games to lucrative markets and revenues generated from those visits.

Professor Simon Chadwick suggests that with Kaka already moving to the nine-time European champions, Real Madrid could benefit from $175m a year in additional revenue generated by the two stars.

Real Madrid suggested David Beckham's stay at the Santiago Bernabeu earnt the club $600 million in sales of shirts and other merchandise alone, increasing merchandising profits by 137%* over four seasons between 2003/4 and 2006/7 before his departure to Los Angeles Galaxy.

Speaking on behalf of Weber Shandwick Sport, Professor Simon Chadwick, Director of the Centre for the International Business of Sport (CIBS) at Coventry University, said:

"Ronaldo can be viewed in the same bracket as Beckham when it comes to global commercial impact, if their image is controlled right and Real Madrid improve their results in the UEFA Champions League as a result of their arrival.

"Becks sold a million shirts in his first six months at Real Madrid when he was just one of several 'galacticos' turning out for the all-whites, alongside the likes of Zidane, Raul and the Brazilian Ronaldo.

"Even if Real signed one or two of the other stars, there would be a real focus on Cristiano Ronaldo's and Kaka talents on the pitch, but also their brand off it. That will pay for their transfers several times over, even with a bumper salary package.

"In Ronaldo’s case, with the Euro performing well against the Pound, that potential transfer is offering far more value for money to Real Madrid than their reported courtship in summer 2007."