Cristiano Ronaldo, has reportedly bought an apartment in New York's iconic Trump Tower. Mr. Ronaldo, considered as one of the best football player in the world, acquired the apartment for $18.5 million. Adding intrigue is Donald Trump's $100 million offer to own the Club Atletico Nacional in Spain.
The Real Deal reported that the purchase of the $18.5 million apartment by Cristiano Ronaldo had an area of 2,509 square feet. The apartment was previously owned by Alessandro Proto. Alessandro Proto is an Italian real estate mogul and business partner of Donald Trump. The report adds that it was Proto himself who closed the deal with the Real Madrid football captain.
The New York Post states that the 30 year old soccer superstar can now be officially considered as a New Yorker after making the purchase last Wednesday. However, to the excitement of soccer fans, it remains to be seen whether Cristiano will live or play in the United States. Previous reports declared that Ronaldo had plans of playing for a Major League Soccer team when his contract officially expires in the year 2018. This creates a speculation that the Red Bulls or a NYC football club deal is being worked out. This somehow contradicts a report by Sports Illustrated that Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to go for Los Angeles.
With a self worth of $235 million, Cristiano Ronaldo is also the richest football player in the world according to the Global Rich List as reported by The Guardian. The world's elite luxury residences, as the Trump organization puts it, caters to public figures, athletes, celebrities and other affluent sophisticates. Ronaldo's celebrity-like status quite fits his purchase of the loft in the trump tower. What makes it even more interesting is the fact that Donald Trump and Alessandro Proto showed earlier interests in acquiring the Colombian Club Atletico Nacional. A club based in Medellin, Spain. Trump and Proto offered $100 million which evidently wasn't enough for National who wanted $150 million for the purchase. This was deemed as "unacceptable" for Donald Trump. Donald Trump clearly stated that they are unwilling to offer more and that the club owners must think that they are stupid enough to do so.
Donald Trump and Alessandro Proto's $100 million ownership offer to Club Atletico Nacional owners didn't work out. Current club owners wanted more and Trump didn't like the counter offer. Cristiano Ronaldo's intention of playing for a MLS club because of his $18.5 million apartment acquisition in the Trump tower is something that remains to be seen.