Juventus Coach Says Ronaldo ‘Did A Lot’ For Club
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said Cristiano Ronaldo “did a lot” for the Italian club and has no intention of staying, amid media speculation that Manchester City or Manchester United could be his next destination.
Widespread reports in the Italian and English press say Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has been finalising a transfer for the Portugal forward to English champions Manchester City, with several reporting that personal terms have already been agreed.
Allegri told a news conference ahead of his side’s Serie A clash at home to Empoli this weekend that Ronaldo informed him on Thursday of his wish to leave Turin.
“Yesterday Cristiano told me that he no longer plans to play for Juventus,” Allegri said. “This is why he will not be called up tomorrow. He did not train yesterday. He told his team mates this morning. I am not surprised at anything, in football there is the market and there are the needs of individuals.”
“He made his choice. Life goes on Omar Sivori, Michel Platini, Alessandro Del Piero, Zinedine Zidane, Gianluigi Buffon, some great champions and even better managers (have left). It’s one of the laws of life. But Juventus will always be here.”
“Cristiano did a lot for this club, he’s a great champion, I wish him all the luck in the world wherever he will play. He gave a great contribution. For the season that I trained him he led by example for the lads, so he is only to be thanked for what he did for Juventus.”
Ronaldo,36, who was signed by Juventus in 2018 for 100 million euros from Real Madrid will leave the Italian club with 101 goals, two league titles and a Coppa Italia trophy to his name.
Ronaldo could possibly join a City team stacked with talent but lacking a consistent marksman after the club’s all-time top scorer Sergio Aguero left at the end of the 2020-21 season to join Barcelona.
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
