Ronaldo off to Juventus
madrid — Real Madrid on Tuesday announced the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to Italy’s Juventus, with the Portuguese superstar saying the time had come “for a new stage” in his life.
“Today Real Madrid wants to give thanks to a player who has demonstrated he is the best in the world and who marked one of the most brilliant periods in the history of our club and world football,” the club said in a statement.
It did not give any details as to the amount of the transfer but Spanish media reports have said it could reach 105 million euros, with the 33-year-old signing a four-year contract worth €30 million per season.
In a letter posted on Real Madrid’s website, the multiple Ballon d’Or winner said his time in Madrid had been one of the happiest in his life. “I only have feelings of huge thanks for this club, for the fans and for this city,” he said. —
madrid — Real Madrid on Tuesday announced the transfer of modern great Cristiano Ronaldo to Italian champions Juventus, with the Portuguese superstar saying the time had come “for a new stage” in his life.
Spanish media reports said the move could cost Juventus 105 million euros ($120 million), with Ronaldo signing a four-year contract worth 30 million euros per season. The 33-year-old is expected to have a medical in Turin next week before being unveiled by his new side.
“Today Real Madrid want to give thanks to a player who has demonstrated he is the best in the world and who marked one of the most brilliant periods in the history of our club and world football,” Real Madrid said in a statement.
In a letter posted on the Real website, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said his time in the Spanish capital, during which he became their record goalscorer, had been one of the happiest in his life.
“I only have feelings of huge thanks for this club, for the fans and for this city,” he said.
“But I think the time has come to open a new stage in my life and that’s why I asked the club to accept to transfer me.
“I ask everyone, and especially our supporters, to please understand me.”
Juventus begin their pre-season schedule with a friendly against Bayern Munich on July 25 in Philadelphia, while Ronaldo could make his competitive debut for the club the following month, with Serie A to announce its fixtures for the upcoming season on July 20.
Ronaldo, whose World Cup campaign with Portugal was ended in the last 16 by Uruguay just under two weeks ago, hinted after May’s Champions League final victory over Liverpool that he was considering leaving the Santiago Bernabeu.
“It was very nice to be in Madrid,” he said at the time, using the past tense. He later played down the comment, but doubts over his future at Madrid lingered, especially after he had also threatened to leave the previous year. —