Ronaldo seals his big-money Juve move
REAL Madrid last night confirmed the transfer of Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus.
The Spanish club said that the move is “in response to the will and request expressed” by Ronaldo, who has spent the past nine years at the Bernabeu.
The fee paid by the Serie A champions is reported to be around 105million euros (£92.7million) for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
A Real Madrid statement read: “Real Madrid CF communicates that, in response to the will and request expressed by the player Cristiano Ronaldo, he has agreed to transfer to Juventus FC.
“Today, 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.”
Ronaldo, 33, joined Real from Manchester United in 2009 for a then-world record fee of £80million.
He has since averaged over a goal a game in scoring 451 times for Real and is the club’s record marksman.
Ronaldo has won the Champions League four times at Real, as well as three FIFA Club World Cups, two LaLiga titles and two Copa del Rey crowns.
The statement added: “Beyond the conquered titles, the trophies achieved and the triumphs achieved in the playing fields during these nine years, Cristiano Ronaldo has been an example of dedication, work, responsibility, talent and improvement.
“For Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo will always be one of his great symbols and a unique reference for the next generations. Real Madrid will always be your home.”
Ronaldo thanked Real Madrid for making his time at the club ‘possibly the happiest of my life,’ but added that he felt it was the right decision to move on.
He said: “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 followers, to please understand me.
“These years in Real Madrid, and in this city of Madrid, have been possibly the happiest of my life.
‘Real Madrid has conquered my heart, and that of my family, and that is why more than ever I want to say thank you: thanks to the club, the president, the directors, my colleagues, all the technicians, doctors, physios and incredible workers that make everything work and that are pending every detail tirelessly.”
Ronaldo’s move will now start speculation about the future of Wales star Gareth Bale at the Bernabeu – whether he will now take Ronaldo’s role as the kingpin of the squad or that the deal signals a changing of the guard, with the likes of Neymar, Eden Hazard and Kylian Mbappe linked with the Spanish giants.