Ronaldo says committed to Juventus amid rumours of Real return
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March 13 (Reuters) – Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo said on Saturday he remains focused on winning trophies with the Italian champions, amid rumours linking the Portugal star with a return to former club Real Madrid following Juve’s exit from the Champions League.
Juventus were knocked out in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday as 10-man Porto progressed on away goals following a 4-4 aggregate draw.
Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of the round of 16 Uefa Champions League soccer match Juventus FC vs FC Porto at the Allianz stadium in Turin, Italy, 09 March 2021. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO
The Italians’ defeat sparked criticism of 36-year-old Ronaldo in the media, with the front page of Wednesday’s Corriere dello Sport saying “Betrayed by Ronaldo”.
Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo (R) celebrates after scoring the 1-0 lead during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Hellas Verona FC and Juventus FC at Marcantonio Bentegodi stadium in Verona, Italy, 27 February 2021. EPA-EFE/FILIPPO VENEZIA
Much of the disappointment stems from the fact that Juventus spent 100 million euros ($120 million) to sign him from Real in 2018 specifically with Champions League glory in mind.
“True champions never break!” Ronaldo said on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CMW-PjagORJ, with a photo of him training ahead of Sunday’s Serie A game away to Cagliari.
“Our focus is already in Cagliari, in the Serie A struggle, in the Italian Cup final and in everything that we can still achieve this season.
“History can’t be deleted, it’s written every single day with resilience, team spirit, persistence and lots of hard work.”
Andrea Pirlo’s side are third in Serie A with 52 points after 25 games, 10 adrift of leaders Inter Milan, who have played a game more.
Juventus face Atalanta in the Coppa Italia final on May 19. ($1 = 0.8367 euros) (Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
