SIC Television has recently filmed a series of television specials featuring present Portuguese football (soccer) greats.

These specials are an up and close look at the individual behind the soccer jersey.

In this video, Porto FC star, Ricardo Quaresma gives us a look behind the scenes, by taking us into his home in Porto, Portugal. He talks about his family, his likes and dislikes and his opinion on tabloid media.

Cristiano Ronaldo7.com has once again taken the time to translate these videos into English.

We hope you enjoy ‘Os Incriveis’ (The Incredibles) Featuring Ricardo Quaresma:

Why isn’t Cristiano Ronaldo earning more at Manchester? This is a question that we would like to explore a little further at Cristiano Ronaldo7.com.

According to Sports Illustrated… The top ten highest paid football (soccer) players, not including endorsements are:

1. Kaká (AC Milan): $14.9 million per year
2. Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona): $14.1 million
3. Frank Lampard (Chelsea): $13.5 million
4. John Terry (Chelsea): $13.5 million
5. Fernando Torres (Liverpool): $13.1 million
6. Andriy Shevchenko (Chelsea): $12.9 million
7. Michael Ballack (Chelsea): $12.9 million
8. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United): $12.7 million
9. Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona): $12.7 million
10. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool): $12.7 million

Now lets look at other major sports and see where player salaries rank.

Highest paid baseball players 2007: source: wikipedia

1. Alex Rodriguez New York Yankees $ 27,708,525
2. Jason Giambi New York Yankees $ 23,428,571
3. Derek Jeter New York Yankees $ 21,600,000
4. Manny Ramírez Boston Red Sox $ 17,016,381
5. Todd Helton Colorado Rockies $ 16,600,000
6. Andy Pettitte New York Yankees $ 16,000,000
7. Bartolo Colón Los Angeles Angels $ 16,000,000
8. Jason Schmidt Los Angeles Dodgers $ 15,703,946
9. Jim Thome Chicago White Sox $ 15,666,667
10. Bobby Abreu New York Yankees $ 15,600,000

National Hockey League Top ten highest paid players: 2007/2008: source…

1. Daniel Briere (Philadelphia Flyers) $10 million
2. Scott Gomez (New York Rangers) $10 million
3. Thomas Vanek (Buffalo Sabres) $10 million
4. Jaromir Jagr (New York Rangers) $8.36 million
5. Kimmo Timonen (Philadelphia Flyers) $8 million
6. Brad Richards (Dallas Stars) $7.8 million
7. Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings) $7.6 million
8. Zdeno Chara (Boston Bruins) $7.5 million
9. Patrik Elias (New Jersey Devils) $7.5 million
10.Ryan Smyth (Colorado Avalanche) $7.5 million

Highest Paid American Athletes: source: Sports Illustrated

1. Tiger Woods
Pro Golf
Last Year’s Rank: 1
$11,941,827 – Salary
$100,000,000 – endorsements
$111,941,827 – total

2. Oscar De La Hoya
Boxing
Last Year’s Rank: NR
$53,000,000 – salary
$2,000,000 – endorsements
$55,000,000 – total

3. Phil Mickelson
Pro Golf
Last Year’s Rank: 2
$4,256,505 – salary
$47,000,000 – endorsements
$51,256,505 – total

4. Shaquille O’Neal
Miami Heat (NBA)
Last Year’s Rank: 3
$20,000,000 – salary
$15,000,000 – endorsements
$35,000,000 – total

5. Kobe Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
Last Year’s Rank: 4
$17,718,750 – salary
$16,000,000 – endorsements
$33,718,750 – total

6. LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
Last Year’s Rank: 6
$5,828,089 – salary
$25,000,000 – endorsements
$30,828,089 – total

7. Kevin Garnett
Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)
Last Year’s Rank: 11
$21,000,000 -salary
$8,000,000 – endorsements
$29,000,000 – total

8. Derek Jeter
New York Yankees (MLB)
Last Year’s Rank: 7
$22,000,000 – salary
$7,000,000 – endorsements
$29,000,000 – total

9. Alex Rodriguez
New York Yankees (MLB)
Last Year’s Rank: 8
$22,000,000 – salary
$6,000,000 – endorsements
$28,000,000 – total

10.Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Auto Racing
Last Year’s Rank: 9
$7,111,735 – salary
$20,000,000 – endorsements
$27,111,735 – total

Although Cristiano Ronaldo is the best footballer on the planet, his salary isn’t in the top 50 of highest paid athletes. Furthermore, his salary is only a few million higher than the highest paid hockey player, and although we love hockey, there is a limited global appeal to the sport.

Is Crisitiano Ronaldo’s alleged discontent at Manchester due to the fact that although he has been the best football player for the last couple of years, he earns less than players with 1/10 the talent? When footballers like Andriy Shevchenko earn more per year, what message is Manchester United sending Cristiano Ronaldo?

Cristiano Ronaldo is not only one of the best football players this year, but in our opinion, the best ever. Manchester United should be telling the world that they are willing to make him the highest paid footballer ever.

Madrid, on the other hand, have said that they believe he’s the best and are willing to pay him handsomely.

We want Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Manchester, but we also think it’s time for Manchester to rally behind Cristiano and pay him what he’s worth. Otherwise, Cristiano Ronaldo may be on his way to warmer climes.

There has been much speculation on the number which Cristiano Ronaldo would wear for Portugal during this Euro Cup and in the future. It seems that that question has finally been answered. C. Ronaldo played the game versus Georgia wearing Figo’s old number 7, and Ricardo Quaresma, the Porto star, was wearing Cristiano Ronaldo’s old number 17.

The Portugal National Squad played their first game with their new team kits on Saturday, a friendly versus Georgia which they won 2-0.

The team departed for Switzerland early this afternoon to get ready for UEFA tournament which starts next week.

Portugal play their first game of the tournament versus Turkey on Saturday, June 7.