Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus was the big news of the summer transfer window. Ronaldo has been the star man at Real Madrid for 9 years, writing himself into the history books at the prestigious club. There was lots of speculation around why he wanted to move, it might have come down to agreements or personal issues with Perez, but whatever the reason it is an exciting new challenge for Ronaldo after 9 glittering seasons in La Liga.
Juve paid €130m for Cristiano, but within 24 hours of his arrival they had sold €60m worth of shirts with the superstars name on the back. They’ve now completely sold out of shirts that they had planned to sell over the whole season, before the first match has even kicked off. That’s the effect Ronaldo can have on merchandise, but we’re yet to see his impact on the field with Serie A kicking off next week.
“After the experiences in Manchester and in Madrid, I’d like to mark the history of Juventus,” he said after signing. Nobody will doubt that he will leave his mark in Italy. in 438 games for Real, Ronnie scored 450 goals, had 138 assists and won the Champions League four times in five years. It feels like he was breaking a new record every week at some stages.
He also won four Ballon d’Ors in Madrid and it will be interesting to see if he can win any more at the age of 33+.
After his medical at Juventus, staff said that he still had the physical capability of a 20-year-old. We all know that Ronaldo is the ultimate athlete and works harder than anyone, but that is crazy at the age of 33.
Who knows how many more seasons Ronaldo has in his tank, but one thing we all know is that he’s going to keep scoring and winning trophies for the Old Lady. Juve have wone Serie A seven times in a row, and four consecutive league and cup doubles. The only trophy missing is the Champions League, which they haven’t won since 1995. I will never forget that because it was the final they beat Ajax and it was my first time with the first team.
Juve have made the final twice in the last few years but it was Ronaldo who has stood in their way. Now they have him on their side they might be able to go one better and lift the cup.
Italian football is slower and more defensive than La Liga, but Ronaldo has done it time and again against the best teams in Italy un the UCL so we know he won’t struggle to adapt.
He says: “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.”
They will challenge him a lot more and the Italian defenders can be tough, but because of the new regulations I think it’ll be hard for the defenders and I hope we can see him shine as usual. The game needs superstars like him to do well and I have no doubt that Ronaldo can do it again.
When you have a mindset like his, you have to look for new challenges and set new goals for yourself, and who is better at that than Ronaldo.
I don’t think Juve was a hard pick. It’s a great team that has been at the top for a long time. Some will say the Italian league isn’t as competitive, but I have played against Italian teams and it was never easy. The Champions League will be the big competition that everyone will be excited to watch, with more eyes on Juve than ever.
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