Ronaldo to inspire future footballers: Juventus Oman coach

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Future generations of footballers in Oman will be inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo joining Juventus Football Club, according to a senior coach at the club’s academy in the Sultanate.

Juventus Oman operates soccer school programmes for children in the country, and often encourages the children who attend – some of whom are as young as three years old – by discussing some of Juve’s current crop of leading players, including attacker Paulo Dybala, defensive midfielder Sami Khedira and forward Gonzalo Higuain.

However, with 33-year-old Ronaldo having joined Juventus on July 10, 2018, senior coach Gerald Lami says the signing of the Portuguese superstar will inspire talented footballers to work even harder, as they aspire to reach the greatness of the five-time FIFA Ballon D’Or winner.

“I believe Ronaldo transferring to Juventus will bring more and more supporters to the club, as Ronaldo comes with a huge fan base, even though Juventus has already been an enormous club with an extraordinary fans base. So I think Ronaldo brings that little extra to the club,” said Lami.

“I think he will lift the club even more, and the supporters, especially the young kids will see Juventus in a different light. I believe Dybala used to be the main player, but now that Ronaldo has come, I think he will guide Dybala, help him along the way and make him a better player,” he added.

Ronaldo moved to Juventus from Real Madrid – with whom he won the Champions League once again last season – for €100 million (OMR44.66 million), as the Italian side chases their own elusive Champions League.

The Portugal national team captain is considered to be one of the best players in the world.