Cristiano Ronaldo joins Juventus: the numbers, reactions and best tweets

Italian club celebrate the

Italian club celebrate the signing of the
33-year-old superstar from Real Madrid

In Depth

The Portuguese star is possibly the most famous footballer on
the planet, with five Ballon d’Or awards and five Champions League
wins to his name.

But the former Manchester United superstar is
now 33 years of age and after nine seasons in Spain Real Madrid
were prepared to let their prize asset leave, so does the deal make
sense?

What Ronaldo, Real and Juve say

In an open letter, Ronaldo said he hoped Real Madrid
fans understood his decision to leave. He wrote: “I believe that
the time has come to begin a new stage in my life and that is why I
have asked the club to accept my transfer request. I feel that way
and I ask everyone, and especially our followers, to please
understand. 

“Real Madrid has conquered my heart, and that of
my family, and that is why more than ever I want to say thank you.
I’m leaving but this shirt, this crest and the Santiago Bernabeu
will continue to always feel as my own wherever I am.”

In a statement the Spanish giants said: “Real Madrid
would like to place on record its thanks to a player who has shown
himself to be the best in the world and made his mark on one of the
greatest periods in our club’s history and on the world game. Apart
from the titles he has lifted, the honours secured and the on-field
achievements during these nine years, Cristiano Ronaldo has been a
role model in terms of commitment, hard work, responsibility,
talent and self-improvement.” 

Meanwhile, Juve celebrated the signing of the Portugal
striker. The Italian club said: “He’s called Cristiano
Ronaldo and he’s now officially a Bianconero! Juventus are
delighted to announce that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has
signed for the club on a four-year contract until 30 June
2022.”

Does Ronaldo still have what it
takes?

He may be getting on, but the deal makes Ronaldo
the fourth most expensive footballer of all time, and almost
triples the record fee for a player in his 30s.

The Portuguese recently boasted that he has a
biological age of 23 and intends to play for many more years to
come. Ronaldo’s numbers are eye-watering and if he can maintain
that form in Italy Juventus’s stranglehold on Italian football
looks set to continue and the £99m will be money well
spent.

“Ronaldo leaves Madrid as the club’s all-time leading
scorer, with 450 goals in 438 games. He also won the Champions
League four times, three Fifa Club World Cups and two La Liga
titles, as well as the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup twice
apiece,” says ESPN. 

This calendar year his goals have come every 70
minutes, he has been the top scorer in the Champions League for
each of the past six seasons, and during his nine seasons in La
Liga he scored 311 goals, notes the broadcaster.

He also scored a hat-trick for Portugal in the
World Cup and netted a spectacular bicycle kick against Juventus in
the Champions League in the spring.

Will it be worth it for Juventus?

Nevermind his impact on the pitch, Ronaldo’s
arrival is likely to have a huge effect on the club’s global
brand.

Journalist Guillem Balague tells Sky Sports that the four-year deal could
end up costing Juventus €400m (£354m) but notes that in the two
days leading up to the deal the club’s stock market value rise by
20%. “That explains one reason why they want him,” he says.

Football finance expert Rob Wilson of Sheffield Hallam
University agrees. He tells the BBC: “Even at about £100m the marketing leverage
that Juventus will be able to create will be significant. Added to
that the likelihood that he will strengthen the team, it seems
plausible that they will be more successful domestically and
qualify routinely for the Champions League. That means more
sponsors, more TV money and more prize money.”

The deal also fits in with the Italian club’s
efforts to re-establish its reputation in an era of Premier League
and La Liga dominance.

“On the surface that might seem like an impossible
indulgence for a club that is expected to report a small loss on
its accounts for the past season. The reality might be the exact
opposite,” says Paolo Bandini of The Guardian. 

“For all their impressive growth in recent
years, the concern for Juventus has always been that they would be
limited by the simple fact of competing in a league whose
international brand continues to lag behind those of La Liga and
the Premier League… The signing of Ronaldo is designed to change
that.”

What’s in it for Ronaldo?

The Portuguese laughed off Milan’s attempts to
lure him to Italy a few years ago, but now he has decided to chance
his arm in Serie A.

Ronaldo has flirted with other clubs before, but
usually to force a better contract offer from Real Madrid. This
time he has elected to leave. However, he will be paid €30m
(£26.5m) a year in Turin.

“Ronaldo leaves Madrid a legend, the club’s record
goalscorer and one of their greatest players, as well as one of the
most decorated,” says Luke Edwards of The Daily Telegraph. 

“The timing, though, does make sense, with some
supporters tired of his perceived selfishness and constant desire
to be the centre of attention. The team is also in need of a
rebuild.”

At Juventus there is the prospect of plenty more
silverware too, notes Sky Sports. “Ronaldo would be confident of
adding to his vast trophy collection at Juventus,” Sky reports.
“The Old Lady are totally dominant in Italian football having won
seven consecutive Serie A titles and four consecutive league and
cup doubles.

“Juventus have not won the Champions League
since the 1995/96 season, but they have reached two finals in the
last five years. With Ronaldo on their side instead of standing in
their way, they would fancy their chances of going one
better.”

What now for Madrid?

Ronaldo’s departure could spark a transfer
scramble this summer as the Spanish giants look for a replacement
and Juventus could be forced to offload some stars of their own to
accommodate their new signing.

“Real will be seeking to fill the void. And when they
do, the knock-on effects will likely be felt all around Europe,”
says ABC. 

It speculates that Ronaldo’s departure could
clear the way for Neymar, who is reportedly unhappy after his £200m
move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

Other big names in the frame are Kylian Mbappe,
who is also at PSG, and Premier League stars including Harry Kane
of Spurs and Eden Hazard of Chelsea.

“Most transfers won’t be confirmed or even
suggested until after the business on the pitch is completed in
Russia,” says ABC.

What are people saying?

The move has prompted plenty of comment on
social media. Former Madrid team-mate Sami Khedira said he was
looking forward to a reunion and other Madrid stars expressed their
thanks to Ronaldo.