Flamengo accuse Cristiano Ronaldo’s Almeria of unpaid Lazaro fee, case taken to CAS | OneFootball

Flamengo said in a statement that Almeria owe nearly €1.8m from Lazaro’s 2022 transfer, unpaid for 590 days, and that the dispute has been taken to CAS. The Brazilian club also noted Cristiano Ronaldo acquired 25% of Almeria in February in a deal with Saudi Arabian owner Mohamed Al-Khereji.

Almeria agreed a €7m fee for Lazaro, who joined from Brazil late in the 2022 window. He spent 18 months in La Liga as the club battled relegation, staying up in his first season. He made 58 appearances, scoring seven goals with one assist, and did not secure a regular start.

In February 2024 he returned temporarily to Palmeiras in Brazil, then had a further half season in Segunda at the Juegos Mediterraneos stadium. Last summer he moved to Al-Najma in Saudi Arabia for €5m.

The dispute centres on a contractual clause said to assign Almeria responsibility to pay or reimburse Spanish taxes linked to the deal. Flamengo state they covered more than €1.5m themselves.

A FIFA decision recognised Flamengo’s right to reimbursement, yet payment has not followed. The club also describes delaying procedural tactics that breach good faith and undermine the credibility of the system.

Source: Football Espana