The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Ronaldo arrives in Turin ready for new challenge
Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted he is as ambitious as ever after joining Juventus from Real Madrid.
The 33-year-old Portugal skipper was unveiled as the Italian club’s £99.2 million signing last night after completing a medical earlier in the day.
Ronaldo, who has signed a fouryear deal, was greeted by ecstatic fans on “CR7 Day” in Turin, and he was quick to assure them that his hunger for success remains undimmed.
He told a press conference: “I’m looking forward to playing. I’m very motivated, concentrated and focused on that.
“I’m going to try to show that 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, I like to seize new challenges.
“After the experiences in Manchester and in Madrid, I’d like to make my mark on the history of Juventus.”
Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid beat Juventus in the 2016-17 Champions League final, one of four he won during his nine years with the Spanish club, and while he hopes to bring that kind of success to the Serie A outfit, he knows that will be no easy task.
He said: “The Champions League is a trophy that everyone wants to win, but it’s very difficult. Juventus came close to us, but the finals are always an unknown.
“For this, I hope to bring luck, but with tranquillity. We will fight for all the trophies.
“I can see that Juventus is a club that can have many successes. They have won domestic cups and Serie A titles, and they were in the final of the Champions League, so I am so proud to be here, I am so proud that they were interested in me.
“I hope I can give the best response on the field during matches, that’s what I can do. I hope I can take them to an even higher level.”
The midfielder, who revealed Juve’s offer was the only one he had, said: “My story at Real was brilliant and I thank the fans. But now I want to dedicate myself to this new phase of my life.
“I can’t wait to play. I am very motivated and I want to show that I am a player of the highest level. I’m here because it’s a brand new challenge for my career.”