Ronaldo: £80m? It's because I'm worth it

Cristiano Ronaldo believes that the £80million Real Madrid paid for him is a "fair price" and he is more than comfortable with being the most expensive player in the world.

Ronaldo will be officially unveiled as the Spanish giants' latest signing to follow last week's presentations of Kaka and Raul Albiol have already been presented following their respective moves from AC Milan and Valencia. Lyon striker Karim Benzema is close to completing his switch to Madrid as Real's spending spree rapidly approaches the £200million mark - almost quarter of a billion euros.

Despite some disquiet about Real's big-spending policy at a time of economic depression when few other clubs can compete, Ronaldo, never short of self-confidence, believes Madrid are justified in paying the fee - and also feels he can live up to the price tag.

"I think that it's a fair figure. If Manchester United and Real Madrid agree this amount, then there is nothing more to say," he told Spanish tabloid Marca. "The great players cost a lot of money, and if you want them you have to pay it. I'm happy to be the most expensive player in the world."

In response to those who have qualms about so much money being spent on one footballer, he added: "I respect everyone's opinions, but I don't agree with these people. "If Real Madrid have paid so much money, it's because they wanted me and have considered it a fair price.

"I'm going to try to do everything in my hands to play very well and I will show that the money they are paying for me has been a good decision."

At a club who finished potless last season and have suffered diminishing returns in the Champions League since they last won the tournament in 2002, much will be demanded of Ronaldo, yet the Portugal international is confident he can deal with the expectations.

"I've been used to having pressure for a long time. In this sense I'm calm," he said. "This (price tag) isn't something I'm going to think about when I go out on to the pitch, so it's not going to affect me.

"I know that they are going to demand a lot of me to be successful at the club and I know that I'm going to have much more pressure than at Manchester United, because I was there for many years. But it means a new challenge and is going to help me be the best footballer.

"As well as that, Spain is a different league - with different players, a different club - and this is going to motivate me to continue working hard and winning things."

Meanwhile, Real Madrid need to sign two more players and off-load about 10 to round off their summer transfer dealings, club president Florentino Perez has said.

"Now we need to calm down a little because squads usually have around 25 players and ours now has some 35," Perez told Spanish television station Cuatro.

"We need to concentrate our efforts on convincing some players that they will have to leave. It should not be forgotten there is a World Cup next summer and all our players want to play in it.

"If players aren't going to have the chance to participate here they'll want to do it somewhere else, to be able to make it to the World Cup.

"As to new signings, I think with two more we would have sufficient."

Perez was asked about Real's interest in Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

"They are both great players but their clubs don't want to sell them, though in the world of football situations can change," he added.

Real have already sold Javier Saviola, and the Dutch contingent of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Royston Drenthe and Klaas Jan Huntelaar are all reportedly on the market.