Cristiano Ronaldo has agreed to make a sensational return to the Premier League, his move unfolding in a matter of hours.
Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has completed a sensational return to the English Premier League, signing with his former club Manchester United.
Ronaldo, 36, represented United from 2003-2009 before moving to Real Madrid. He has spent the last three years in Italy with Juventus.
The Portuguese star’s transfer unfolded in rapid fashion today after Juventus confirmed his desire to leave. Then Manchester City, which had been considered the favourite to sign him, pulled out of the running.
United saw its chance and pounced.
“I didn’t think Cristiano was going to leave Juventus. But if ever he is going to move away from Juventus, he knows we are here,” United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told reporters hours before the deal was announced.
“He knows how we feel about him. He is a legend of this club, one of the greatest players of all time if you ask me. So let’s see what happens with him.”
Within hours Ronaldo had flown into the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, where United had quickly planned a medical examination.
The club announced it had reached an agreement with Ronaldo shortly afterwards.
“Manchester United is delighted to confirm that the club has reached agreement with Juventus for the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo, subject to the agreement of personal terms, visa and a medical,” it said.
“Cristiano, a five time Ballon d’Or winner, has so far won over 30 major trophies during his career, including five UEFA Champions League titles, four FIFA Club World Cups, seven league titles in England, Spain and Italy, and the European Championship.
“In his first spell for Manchester United, he scored 118 goals in 292 games.
“Everyone at the club looks forward to welcoming Cristiano back to Manchester.”
It seems Ronaldo’s former manager at United, Sir Alex Ferguson, played a role in convincing him to return. According to The Manchester Evening News, Ferguson reached out to the man he first coached as a teenager on Friday.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri only confirmed that Ronaldo was leaving his club on Friday morning.
“Yesterday Cristiano told me that he has no intention of continuing at Juventus,” Allegri said, insisting that he was “absolutely not disappointed”.
“These things pass. Sivori, Platini, Del Piero, Zidane, Buffon have all passed through Juve. Great champions. It is a law of life.
“Juventus remains the most important thing. It has been three years, he has given his contribution, now he leaves and life goes on, as is normal.”
Allegri said Ronaldo had indicated he would stay at Juventus just days earlier.
“The situation has changed, and it must be accepted,” he said.
“He told his teammates this morning. I am not surprised at anything. In football there is the market, and there are the needs of individuals.”
Like many other large clubs, Juventus has endured significant financial difficulties during the coronavirus pandemic, and has been looking to lower its wage bill. Offloading Ronaldo’s $1.7 million salary will certainly help.
It’s a similar situation to the one at Barcelona, where financial problems forced Ronaldo’s rival Lionel Messi to move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi made no secret of his sadness at leaving Barcelona, the only club he had ever represented at senior level in his 17-year career.
His contract expired at the end of June, making him a free agent. He was expected to re-sign with Barcelona, but the club eventually concluded it could not afford the contract due to “economic and structural issues”.
“As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and club will not be fulfilled.”