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Cristiano Ronaldo Reportedly Plans to Play at Real Madrid for 9 More Seasons

Tom Sunderland@@TomSunderland_X.com LogoFeatured ColumnistMay 29, 2016

MILAN, ITALY - MAY 28: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid poses for a photo with the Champions League trophy during the UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 28, 2016 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by MICHAEL CAMPANELLA/Getty Images)
MICHAEL CAMPANELLA/Getty Images

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo plans to spend nine more seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu before hanging up his boots at the ripe old age of 40, according to Duncan Castles of One World Sports.

Per Castles, although the Portugal captain is currently in negotiations to prolong his stay in Madrid, he doesn't see this as likely his last extension.  

Ronaldo now has three Champions League winners' medals.
Ronaldo now has three Champions League winners' medals.VI-Images/Getty Images

Ronaldo scored the decisive spot-kick in Real's penalty-shootout win over rivals Atletico Madrid in Saturday's UEFA Champions League final, the club's 11th European Cup and second in the past three seasons.

The 31-year-old's current deal runs through June 2018, and Castles reported Los Blancos have offered their prized possession a two-year extension, bringing his stay until 2020.

The former Manchester United marvel reportedly responded by asking for a new five-year deal, running until 2021, at which point he would be a seasoned 36 years of age.

Paris Saint-Germain and United are cited as two parties interested in signing the forward, but Ronaldo spoke to the Spanish media last week and insisted he's urged the club to retain his services for the long term, per Castles:

Real Madrid would be smart if they extend my contract. I am happy at Real Madrid. I can see no club better than this one.

Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City can forget it, I'm retiring at Real Madrid. I have had good and bad moments, four years ago I was not happy but there is no better place to be than here.

Speaking of good moments, Saturday's Champions League triumph is about as positive as they come, and after an uncertain tenure under former manager Rafa Benitez, the club looks to be in good hands under manager Zinedine Zidane—for now, at least.

Ronaldo appears to be enjoying his work under the former Real talisman, and the Telegraph's Paul Hayward attested to their player-manager relationship being quite a unique one:

Paul Hayward @_PaulHayward

Great shot of Zidane and Ronaldo hugging each other. In sport some people are just on another level.

Since moving to the Bernabeu for a then-world-record fee of £80 million in 2009, Ronaldo has won La Liga, the FIFA Club World Cup and now two Champions League crownstwice the number he clinched in six years at United.

According to Castles, Ronaldo's current five-year contract is worth €105 million (£80 million) after taxes—equal to £16 million per year or just over £300,000 a week—and it's unlikely he'd be willing to take a pay cut.

Ronaldo's £80 million move to Real Madrid in 2009 is still the second-most expensive in history.
Ronaldo's £80 million move to Real Madrid in 2009 is still the second-most expensive in history.JAVIER SORIANO/Getty Images

The ball now appears to be in Los Merengues' court in regard to whether they're able to meet their star's demands, particularly as he edges further past the magic age of 30.

Real Madrid face a quandary in deciding if the investment will be a safe one moving forward, but what's clear is their poster boy is eager to tie himself down in Spain's capital for the long run.