These claims aren’t affecting me on or off the pitch, maintains
THIS isn’t the “worldwide profile” that Juventus president Andrea Agnelli wanted, nor were these the emotions some around Manchester United were expecting.
The Italian champions’ signing of Cristiano Ronaldo was built up as the move to finally take the club to the next level, with his Champions League group match at Old Trafford then built up as “Ronaldo’s return” — but all of that has been undercut by the uncomfortable global headlines from Kathryn Mayorga’s accusations of sexual assault against the Portuguese star.
It is the story that hangs over the occasion and Ronaldo’s career, always there and occasionally mentioned out of duty, but impossible — for many reasons — to really address.
The 33-year old and his camp continue to strenuously deny any crime, while admitting a non-disclosure agreement has been signed. The German publication who initially broke the story, Der Spiegel, meanwhile say they stand by their reporting — which involves the revelation of countless leaked documents — and point out that the player’s legal representatives have not yet followed through on threats to take legal action.
Ronaldo has only returned to Old Trafford once since his 2009 departure, a move agreed with Real Madrid on the very date — June 12 — the sexual assault is alleged to have taken place.
That return was for the Spanish club’s 2012-13 Champions League last-16 win, when the Portuguese scored the decisive goal, but only after recovering from what he admitted was something else that affected his performance.
Alex Ferguson had asked the Old Trafford announcer Alan Keegan to read the Real Madrid team out second, with Ronaldo’s name last and the player described as “the magnificent No.7”, so that the raucous response might “get into his head”.
Any such move this time would feel as tone-deaf as some of the Juventus Man Utd Valencia Young Boys 2 2 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 1 1 0
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statements from Juventus or Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, but then current manager Jose Mourinho wouldn’t exactly lobby for this in the way father-figure Ferguson did. Mourinho does not get on with his fellow Jorge Mendes client after their fractious time together at the Bernabeu.
All in all, it will just make this return that bit more muted, even if the headlines have also tempo-
“So most important is I enjoy the football, I enjoy my life.
“The rest... I have people who take care of my life and, of course, the truth is always coming in the first position. So I’m good.”
British journalists’ hopes of questioning the forward were ignored, despite answering almost entirely in English at his old stomping ground.
Ronaldo was in jovial mood, flashing smiles at the No.7 Lounge where his face adorns the walls alongside fellow greats like George Best, David Beckham and Eric Cantona.
The 33-year old remains a fans’ favourite at United after a medal-laden spell between 2003 and 2009, meaning he will not celebrate should he score in tonight’s Group H encounter.
“It is a huge, emotional thing for me to come back,” Ronaldo said. “I mean, I can remember what it was like when I was here in Manchester and know all about the history.
“I won lots of trophies here — the cups, leagues, the Champions League.
“I remember also the support as well. The support is fantastic and Sir Alex Ferguson is someone I will never, ever forget. Someone who gave me a huge lift in my career and I would like to express my best possible wishes to him.
“When I knew that we were going to be playing against Manchester United, it was huge for me.”
Meanwhile, Leonardo Bonucci has revealed he turned down a move to the Red Devils to return to Juventus.
The Italy international defender (31) returned to Turin in the summer after spending just one season at Milan following a £35.1m move in 2017 despite a strong approach from United.
“Yes,” Bonucci admitted, when asked if he received an offer from United at the end of last season.
“Basically there have been some possibilities both with Manchester City and with Manchester United. With City when I received that offer (in 2016) I actually talked to the club, I talked to Juventus and we decided that it was good for me to stay and to keep on winning with Juventus.
“This year when I was told there was a possibility to go back home, to come back to Juventus, I just stopped listening to any other