Leaves Real Madrid for $172m

Neymar (Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain).

Kylian Mbappe (Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain). Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool to Barcelona).

Ousmane Dembele (Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona).

Paul Pogba (Juventus to Manchester United). Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid to Juventus).

city,” Ronaldo wrote in an open letter to Real Madrid fans. “I have had nine absolutely wonderful years at the club.

“Real Madrid has conquered my heart, and that of my family, and that is why more than ever I want to say thank you: thank you to the club, the president, the directors, my colleagues, all the staff, doctors, physios and incredible people that make everything work.

“These years in Real Madrid, and in this city of Madrid, have been possibly the happiest of my life.

“However, I believe that the time has come to open a new stage in my life and that is why I have asked the club to accept transferring me. I ask everyone, and especially our fans, to please understand me.

“They have been absolutely wonderful for nine years. They have been nine unique years. It has been an emotional time for me, full of consideration, but also hard because Real Madrid is of the highest demands, but I know very well that I will never forget that I have enjoyed football here in a unique way.

“I have had fabulous teammates on the field and in the dressing room, I have felt the warmth of an incredible crowd and together three Champions Leagues in a row and four Champions Leagues in five years. And next to them, and at an individual level, I have had the satisfaction of having won four Ballon d’Ors and three Golden Boots. All during my time at this immense and extraordinary club.

“I have reflected a lot and I know that the time has come for a new cycle. I’m leaving but this shirt, this badge and the Santiago Bernabeu, they will continue to always feel part of me wherever I am.”

Ronaldo leaves Madrid a legend, the club’s record goalscorer and one of their greatest players, as well as one of the most decorated. The timing, though, does make sense, with some supporters tired of his perceived selfishness and constant desire to be the centre of attention. The team is also in need of a rebuild.

“For Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo will always be one of the great symbols,” the club said in a statement. “Real Madrid wants to express its gratitude to a player who has proved to be the best in the world and who has marked one of the brightest times in the history of our club and world football. Real Madrid will always be your home.”

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner joins a Juventus side who have been the dominant force in Italian football for almost a decade, but have failed to win the Champions League. That will be the challenge awaiting one of the biggest sports stars on the planet and the club’s record signing.

Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2009, after six years at United. He won four Champions League titles, as well as two league championships, two Spanish Cups and three Fifa Club World Cups.

Although supposedly no longer in his peak years as an athlete, Ronaldo remains in excellent physical condition and there are those who believe he will, like another former United player, Ryan Giggs, continue to play well into his late-30s.

Nevertheless, Juventus have taken a gamble offering such a lengthy contract, given he will be 37 when it expires in 2022.