...and CR7 is not one to be outshone
Juve thousands turn out for £105m signing Ronaldo
CRISTIANO RONALDO has spent most of his career writing his own scripts.
And for the man with an ego to match his talent, goal tally and silverware haul, his box-office Juventus unveiling was another occasion that unfolded just as he would have wanted.
Few players could move on the football agenda less than 24 hours after the conclusion of arguably the greatest World Cup ever. But then few players, if any, have ever been as good.
Ronaldo fever took over Turin for his eagerly-awaited arrival and he had fans, club officials and even his new teammates falling at his feet.
His ego got a good stroking, but a little more love never hurt anyone, especially this global sporting icon.
That is why the Portuguese superstar (right), 33, left Real Madrid, suspicious that their love was on the wane.
The way he was greeted in his new home city left him in no doubt that he will be worshipped at Juventus.
He said: “The nine years at Real were wonderful, but it’s a brand new step in my life, so I thank all the supporters with my heart. But I have to focus on this next step. I’m looking forward to playing. I’m very motivated, concentrated and focused on that.
“I’m going to try to show I am a top player as usual. I’m going to work hard in training. I don’t think I have to show what I am more than that – you know my stats.
“But I am very ambitious and I like challenges. I don’t like to stay in my comfort zone. After the experiences in Manchester and in Madrid, I’d like to mark the history of Juventus.”
The hype that began when murmurs of his £105million move started to gather pace last week cranked up again on Sunday.
That was when Ronaldo landed in Turin, not even letting France have the spotlight to themselves as they marched towards their second World Cup. Yesterday was all about him. As is now standard procedure in this social media age, it was given a hashtag by Juventus #CR7DAY with his every step tracked on their website.
Thousands of fans were already in place at Juventus’ J Medical Centre in the morning desperately waiting for a glimpse of their new messiah.
By mid-afternoon so many supporters had descended on Juventus’ stadium they put on more tours, showing they are just as quick as Ronaldo to maximise an opportunity. Juve’s club shop was also overrun with fans wanting ‘Ronaldo 7’ shirts. Emre Can posted his own gushing welcome message on social media while, with his medical complete, Miralem Pjanic, Giorgio Chiellini and boss Max Allegri were among the first to greet him on a tour of the club’s training centre.
Then, just a couple of minutes later than the billed 5.30pm start time, it was his official presentation, in an auditorium at the Allianz Stadium so packed out even a suited Ronaldo wanted a picture of it.
The Juventus charm offensive began when his spectacular overhead kick in last season’s Champions League quarterfinal was greeted by a standing ovation by home fans.
“That was a spectacular moment for me,” Ronaldo said. “The fans have given me a wonderful welcome here and I thank them all.”
But it is on the pitch he will really be judged. His arrival has made Juventus third favourites to win the Champions League, one ahead of the club he left, three-in-a-row winners Madrid.
Juventus were last European champions in 1996 and he added: “The Champions League is a trophy that everyone wants to win, but it is very difficult.
“For this I hope to bring luck, but with tranquillity. We will fight for all the trophies.”