Cristiano Ronaldo earns $10 million dollars a year, plays his favorite sport for a living in front of adoring fans, and is recognized as one of the greats of all time.
So why is he unhappy?
The superstar wrote to his fans that "I'm sad because of a professional issue and Real Madrid knows why. That's why I didn't celebrate the goals, because I'm not happy. The people at the club know why. I cannot say any more."
After scoring two goals in his club's first victory of the season, the star refused to celebrate but instead walked around the field with a solemn demeanor that would make it seem as if he'd scored on his team rather than for them.
Spanish media, excited as ever over any gossip surrounding the Portuguese player they often call Tristiano, was quick to throw out a few ideas for Ronaldo's discontent.
The first was his loss of the UEFA Player of the Year to rival Barcelona's Andres Iniesta. Iniesta won the MVP award at the Euro Cup in June despite the fact that Ronaldo carried Real Madrid to Spanish League supremacy with his 46 goals.
Another reason that has been tossed around for his anger was the fact that his former best friend Marcelo threw his support at Ronaldo's teammate Iker Casillas as the best option for the Ballon D'Or in 2012. Casillas is a keeper and it is unlikely for a goalie to get the distinction of being the world's greatest soccer player. But Casillas did win the Spanish League with Ronaldo and then added his second Euro Championship trophy In June by allowing only one goal in the six matches. And he did defeat Ronaldo on the way to being crowned champion. Real Madrid has also thrown a great deal of support around its franchise keeper and has paid less attention to its star scorer who has had the best year of his career.
Another possibility is the greatest corrupter of all: Money. Yes, Ronaldo makes $10 million a year, but other players in La Liga make more money while not performing at the same level. According to sources, Ronaldo wants to be the world's highest paid soccer player and wants somewhere in the neighborhood of $15 million a year. However, due to tax laws, Real Madrid would have to sign him to $31 million a year and lose over 50 percent of that to taxes imposed by the government. Under old laws, players making over $120,000 would pay a lower tax rate of around 23 percent, enabling clubs to sign players to exorbitant fees without losing much in tax. But that is no longer the case and a Ronaldo raise would cripple the club which has Spain's financial crisis to consider.
The press also highlighted that Ronaldo paid a visit to the office of club president Florentino Prez. No one knows what the visit was related two, but some believe that Ronaldo may have demanded a trade to another club.
Aside from the CR7's own declaration, none of these speculations have been confirmed. Whatever the case may be, it is a clear sign that trouble may be brewing in Spain's capital. And it is not related to the economy.