Ronaldo’s Italian job
Portugal star on the move as Real and Juve agree £99m deal
Cristiano Ronaldo has signed for Juventus after the Italian champions agreed a fee of around £99 million with Real Madrid to bring an end to a hugely successful nine-year stay at the Bernabeu.
The 33-year-old had hinted after Real’s third successive Champions League final triumph in May that he was keen to leave and, with Manchester United reluctant to enter the bidding, he has decided to move to Serie A.
Juventus have agreed terms on a four-year contract, which will see Ronaldo earn around £500,000 a week. Ronaldo, who was once again Portugal’s star player as they exited the World Cup in the last 16, had suggested that he wanted to rejoin United when the time came to leave Madrid, but that opportunity has failed to materialise and it is not thought manager Jose Mourinho was keen on his return.
The two Portuguese had a strained relationship towards the end of Mourinho’s spell as Real manager and, having already signed Alexis Sanchez on wages of more than £500,000 a week, from Arsenal back in January, United did not make a serious attempt to bring him back, even though he remains hugely popular with the club’s fans.
“I only have feelings of enormous gratitude for this club and for this city,” Ronaldo wrote in an open letter to Real Madrid supporters. “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 the incredible people that make everything work.
“These years at 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 feel that way and I ask everyone, and, especially our fans, to please understand me.
“They have been 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 team-mates on the field and in the dressing room, I have felt the warmth of an incredible crowd and together we have won three championships in a row and four championships in five years. On an individual level, I have the satisfaction of having won four Gold Balls and three Gold Boots. All during my time in 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 makes sense, however, 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 lift the Champions League. That will be the challenge awaiting the club’s record signing, eclipsing the £75.3million Juve paid Napoli for Gonzalo Higuain.
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 continue to play at the highest level 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.