Cristiano Ronaldo Has Officially Joined Juventus

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Cristiano Ronaldo has left Real Madrid, after nine years, to play for Juventus.

The 33-year-old had played for Real Madrid since 2009, after a €94 million (£80 million) transfer deal from Manchester United. His contract had been due to expire in 2021.

The transfer deal finalised this time around remains in keeping with his unique superstar status, with a cool £105 million reportedly put on the table to secure the living legend on a four year deal.

This high profile transfer has set a new club record signing for Juventus, eclipsing their €90m acquisition of Gonzalo Higuain.

Ronaldo will be given a basic annual salary of €30m, which is quite a large leap from the €23.6 million he earned while at Real Madrid.

Announcing the deal, Real Madrid released a statement reading:

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. 

Beyond the conquered titles, the trophies achieved and the triumphs achieved in the playing fields during these 9 years, Cristiano Ronaldo has been an example of dedication, work, responsibility, talent and improvement.

He has also become the top scorer in the history of Real Madrid with 451 goals in 438 games. In total 16 titles, including 4 European Cups, 3 of them consecutive and 4 in the last 5 seasons. On an individual basis, with the Real Madrid jersey he has won 4 Gold Balls, 2 The Best, and 3 Gold Boots, among many other awards. 

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.

Find out more about Ronaldo’s incredible career below:

During his time playing for Real Madrid, Ronaldo did Los Blancos proud; becoming their number one goalscorer of all time with an incredible 450 goals to his name.

Ronaldo also lifted two La Liga titles and the Copa del Rey on two occasions, and not forgetting four Champions League crowns within a five year period.

It has been reported Ronaldo had grown frustrated by feeling under appreciated by Real, who had been reluctant to offer a lucrative contract extension.

Juventus fans will no doubt be delighted by this latest development, which has been speculated for some time. But no doubt there will be some glum faces among Madrid fans today.

Ronaldo is currently enjoying a well-deserved post season break in Greece with his partner Georgina Rodriguez and their young son, Cristiano Jr.

According to ESPN, Juventus president Andrea Agnelli journeyed to Greece to discuss the transfer deal with Ronaldo face-to-face at his hotel.

Speaking prior to the move, Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, told Portuguese publication Record:

If this happens it will simply be a new stage, a new challenge in his brilliant career,

If Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Real Madrid, he will be eternally grateful to the club, the president, all the directors, the medical staff, all the staff without exception, as well as all the Madrid fans around the world.

Speculations about Ronaldo’s future in the Spanish capital gained momentum in May 2018, when he spoke about his time at the club in the past tense following their 3-1 victory over Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League Final.

It was here Ronaldo remarked, ‘It has been very nice being at Real Madrid.’

He later added:

I cannot guarantee that I will stay at Real Madrid, but this is not the moment to talk, as Madrid have made history, but neither am I going to hide.

It is difficult to be at a better place than Madrid, the best club in the world, but life is not just about glory.

The 33-year-old Portuguese player has continued to impress on a global level during the 2018 World Cup, showing the world just why he is often regarded to be the greatest footballer in the world.

Here’s to an exciting new chapter in Ronaldo’s glorious career – but to Ed Woodward, how have you not brought the goal machine back to sunny Manchester?!

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Julia Banim

Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.