A former bodyguard to Cristiano Ronaldo has disclosed he earned £255,000 a year whilst protecting the football superstar during his time at Real Madrid.
Hichman Bukhari, a private military contractor and close protection operative, revealed the substantial annual rate in an interview with Spanish television network Telecinco.
The security professional spent four years safeguarding Ronaldo and his family in the Spanish capital, describing the Portuguese footballer as his "best boss" he has "ever had".
Despite the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's global fame, Bukhari characterised him as a relatively low-risk client who faced threats from overzealous fans and potential thieves rather than serious danger to his life.
Cristiano Ronaldo paid Hichman Bukhari £255,000 a year during the four years he worked for him
Reuters
Bukhari, who boasts over 127,000 Instagram followers, worked as part of Ronaldo's security detail between 2009 and 2013 when the footballer played for Real Madrid.
Ronaldo paid Bukhari a daily rate of £850, which translated to £4,250 for a five-day week and approximately £21,250 monthly.
His annual earnings reached an impressive £255,000 for protecting one of football's most recognisable figures.
Bukhari explained during his television appearance: "Our work depends on the client's profile.
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"In the case of Cristiano, with whom I worked for four years, his profile wasn't high-risk because people didn't want to kill him, and he didn't receive death threats.
"He was threatened by fans or people who wanted to rob him."
The bodyguard detailed his security protocols, emphasising the importance of advance planning and situational awareness.
"We always have to know where we're going, who will be there, and have clear entry and exit points, as well as contact points.
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"We must always be aware that our lives could be at risk. We have to be willing to protect a person, and sometimes we have to give our lives to protect them."
Bukhari confirmed he would use weapons if necessary but stressed that quick thinking and maintaining composure in challenging situations were paramount skills.
He described dealing primarily with "silly incidents with paparazzi or crazy fans, but nothing major."
Cristiano Ronaldo has often been subject to pitch invaders
Getty
For example, Ronaldo has long been the subject to many pitch invaders seeking photos with the Portuguese, but it does provide a safety risk.
On Wednesday evening, during Portugal's 2-1 Nations League semi-final victory over Germany in which Ronaldo scored the winner, he was grabbed by an invader prior to the match.
Portugal manager, Roberto Martinez, has condemned the safety risk.
Bukhari, though, spoke warmly about his professional relationship with the footballer, stating: "He is the best boss I've ever had. We have a good relationship."
The security operative emphasised that protecting Ronaldo differed significantly from guarding individuals facing genuine mortal threats.
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"Working with him wasn't like working with someone threatened with death or kidnap," Bukhari noted.
The bodyguard's revelations offer rare insight into the security arrangements surrounding one of football's biggest stars, who has required protection throughout his career at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and now Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
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