Cristiano Ronaldo ‘to leave’ Real Madrid this summer

Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Real Madrid this summer, with Florentino Perez's support of Gareth Bale one of the key issues that has upset the Portuguese star.

Spanish publication Don Balón has claimed that Carlo Ancelotti's exit, the cooling of relations between Ronaldo and Perez, the hiring of Rafa Benitez and Perez's unrelenting support for Bale have combined to unsettle the former Manchester United star.

It's a bombshell claim, but one containing many elements that have been talked about and reported in recent weeks.

Ronaldo's unhappiness at Ancelotti's departure is no secret, with the Portuguese star publicly stating on his Instagram account that he hoped to work with the Italian next season - only for him to be sacked days later.

That sort of overt power move is, it seems, indicative of Ronaldo's relationship with Real Madrid president Perez, described elsewhere in the Spanish press today as "a marriage of convenience."

At times over the past year, particularly around the time of the 30-year-old's controversial birthday party, he reportedly felt that he didn't receive enough support from the club.

This all ties into an annoyance that super-agent Jorge Mendes is supposed to have with Florentino after he chose to hire Benitez rather than Mendes' first choice (and client, of course) Nuno - currently in charge at Valencia.

Were Ronaldo to leave the Bernabeu, Paris Saint-Germain would be the frontrunners for his signature.