I’m different, says Ronaldo
UNVEILED: SUPERSTAR FEVER HITS TURIN
Rome, Italy
Cristiano Ronaldo said he’s “different” from other players of his age who move to China for mega-money deals, during his official unveiling as a Juventus player yesterday.
“I’m different from other players who think their careers are over when they’re my age,” said Juve’s 33-year-old signing from Real Madrid.
“I want to show that I’m not like the others, I’m different.”
Juventus are dreaming of Champions League glory after the official unveiling yesterday of Ronaldo, the Serie A champions’ superstar summer signing.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was presented to the world media at a press conference last night.
Juventus fans gave the 33-yearold a rousing welcome during a brief appearance ahead of his medical yesterday morning.
Hundreds of fans gathered outside the Allianz Stadium in Turin from early morning singing “Ronaldo, bring us the Champions (League)” as the European competition’s most lethal striker of all time emerged from the club’s medical centre to sign autographs and shake hands amid raucous chants.
Juventus later published a video of Ronaldo chanting “Juve, Juve” as he went back inside to undergo tests.
After passing his medical he met club directors, coach Massimiliano Allegri and his new team-mates, saving a warm hug for Italian international defender Giorgio Chiellini, a scene filmed in official club footage.
Ronaldo fever hit Turin after the announcement last week of his €100 million (R1.5 billion) transfer from European champions Real Madrid. Italian media reports the attacker will earn €30 million a season and the deal will cost Juve a total of €350 million.
Many of the youngsters who came out to greet their new hero were wearing Juventus shirts emblazoned with “Ronaldo” and the number 7, which have been selling quickly in Turin.
Others wore t-shirts with the message “Bem-vindo” – “welcome” in Portuguese.
About 5 000 shopkeepers put up posters ahead of Ronaldo’s arrival on Sunday. One ice-cream parlour has even created a “CR7” cone, featuring a Portuguese cherry liquer and chocolate shavings.
The mood of joy was not universal. The costly signing upset leaders of one minority union at an automobile plant in southern Italy owned by Fiat-Chrysler – in turn owned by the same holding company as Juventus.
They called a protest strike for yesterday but only five of the plant’s 1 700 workers turned up.
Juventus fans are hoping Ronaldo’s arrival will push them to a coveted Champions League title.
Fresh from their seventh Serie A title and four straight domestic doubles, the Old Lady of Italian football have struggled to turn Italian dominance into European trophies.
Ronaldo has scored 120 Champions League goals, more than anyone else in the history of the competition, and won four out of the last five editions with Real Madrid. –