Cristiano Ronaldo in January: If he is valued at €100m it's because he isn't loved

The truth is that Cristiano Ronaldo wanted to retire at Real Madrid, it was his dream, to play until 41-years-old with his elite mentality leading to him impressing despite his age at Valdebebas.

His work ethic and attitude have been a reference point for youngsters, he doesn't let anyone take it easy.

The superstar was happy at Los Blancos, where he has become a legend, where he won his fifth Champions League, but in January he made it clear that the lack of tact from club president Florentino Perez had upset him after previously having promised an improved contract.

What ended it all was Madrid's gesture to try to make him happy, opening the door to an exit in the summer if circumstances allowed.

It was a time in which the club had learned that now they could allow him to move on whilst his career was coming to an end, letting him move on without many consequences.

The Portuguese forward's form in the first half of the season explained why, as a never before seen form of Ronaldo was seen, struggling until he woke up in the second half and took the league by storm.

"No-one would pay him what we pay him here at 33-years-old, and we couldn't sell anyone earning that money," was the claim of many fans.

Meanwhile, Neymar has been circling around the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu looking to become the next Galactico.

Zinedine Zidane was busy pushing for the club to make their best player happy, but the club decided that 100 million euros from a club who is not a direct rival would be acceptable.

They considered the likes of China, the United States and so, though it enraged Cristiano that they put a figure on his value despite him being the one to ask for an exit to be facilitated.

"If I'm worth 100 million euros it's that they don't love me," he said in January, laughing off the suggestions but secretly feeling that the club had put the wrong value on him, seeing it as a devaluation and an insult.

That was the decisive moment when he felt that his time in Madrid had come to an end.

The season went on, Real Madrid won the Champions League with Cristiano being the top scorer, hitting a historic overhead kick in Turin, curiously where he could end up, playing in front of the fans who rose to their feet to applaud him.

Now he is convinced that he will depart unless there is an unforeseen change in the situation.

A document reducing his release clause to 100 million euros does exit.

Was it a calculation error? Was it wrong to unsettle a legend? Was it poor management? Can only one person be so important at the club? Is it a waste to lose such a special player? Is it the right moment for a hypothetical sale?

The truth is that Cristiano has woken up from his Real Madrid dream.