Manchester United have lost out on a six-figure payment from FIFA by parting ways with Cristiano Ronaldo before the 37-year-old began his World Cup.
The governing body’s Club Benefits programme sees every club paid $10,000 (£8,271) per day that a player is with their national team.
But United said that the mutual agreement announced Tuesday, which means Ronaldo will be looking for a new club once Portugal’s campaign in Qatar comes to an end, was from “immediate effect” to leave them ineligible for another slice of the £190m scheme.
They will receive money for the seven days in which Ronaldo was in the Portugal camp and still their player but should Fernando Santos’ team make a run to the final they would miss out on another $260,000 (£215,000).
Do not worry too much about United’s coffers though – because the forward has walked away without receiving any of the wages remaining on his contract, estimated at about £16m.
United will be expected to put that money towards signing attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window.
Ronaldo earned and converted a controversial penalty in Portugal’s 3-2 win against Ghana yesterday to become the first player to score in five World Cups.
He looked to be fighting back the tears as he sang the national anthem before kick off.
"It was a week that finishes the chapter, it's closed. We won and I could help the team - the rest does not matter," Ronaldo said after the game.
"This was a beautiful moment, my fifth World Cup. We won, we started on our good foot and it is a very important win. The first match is crucial in these tournaments.
"The first player to score goals at five World Cups, this makes me very proud."
Portugal boss Santos said of his captain: "One of the best players in the world, one of the best players ever.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is a phenomenon, a legend like many who have comes and gone before. In 50 years' time, we will continue to speak about him."
