Cristiano Ronaldo Returns to Manchester U After Juventus Transfer
Big news out of England today. Footballer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will be returning to Manchester United. According to reports, a
Ivy Griffith
Big news out of England today. Footballer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will be returning to Manchester United. According to reports, a deal was struck before a Tuesday deadline that will allow Ronaldo to return to Man U, after a dramatic transfer from Juventus. CELEB takes a look at the path that led here and what his return means for Manchester U.
Ronaldo Returns to Man U
Fans celebrate today at the news that Ronaldo will be returning to his home team, Manchester United, in what seems like an impossible turn of events. On Friday, Manchester United’s Twitter account shared a, “Welcome home!” message for Ronaldo and a link to an official statement on the stunning development. Per Bleacher Report, “In a statement regarding the move, Manchester United wrote: Manchester United is delighted to confirm that the club has reached agreement with Juventus for the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo, subject to agreement of personal terms, visa and medical.’”
The development happened in record time, hammering out a deal in under 24 hours, and just before a deadline Tuesday. Leading up to the announcement, it had seemed like Manchester United had pulled out of negotiations to attempt to reclaim their star player, but in the end they won. Ronaldo has reportedly signaled in recent months that he would like to return to Man U, but many believed it was beyond his reach with a year still left on a contract with Juventus.
Drama with Juventus at the End
Reportedly, the last year of Ronaldo’s time at Juventus was in jeopardy after suggesting he no longer wished to continue at Juventus and sitting out practices. While Manchester United initially signaled interest in their former alum, they pulled out of negotiations last week and it seemed like Ronaldo’s future was uncertain, despite being one of the best players in the world. Or maybe, perhaps because of it – he’s expensive, and few teams can afford him. Ronaldo’s former team Real Madrid had expressed no interest in bringing him back.
On Friday, head coach Massimiliano Allegri spoke to reporters about Ronaldo’s intentions, per Reuters, “‘Yesterday Cristiano told me that he no longer plans to play for Juventus,’ he told a news conference.
‘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.’”
And so it will for Ronaldo – back in Manchester.
Manchester U’s Hopeful Future
The Portugese forward returns to Manchester United a welcome face, as the deal is closed with Juventus for a staggering €20m with €3 million in bonuses. That’s just under $24 million.
Per Bleacher Report, “The Portugal international is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time thanks to his 674 career goals in 897 matches across all competitions.
Ronaldo has scored 101 times in 134 matches with Juventus after scoring 118 times in 292 matches with Manchester United and a remarkable 450 times in 438 matches with Real Madrid.
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His greatest success came at Real Madrid, with whom he won La Liga twice, two Copas del Rey and the UEFA Champions League on four occasions. He won three Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, one FA Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup at Manchester United, and he’s won two Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia with Juventus.
Additionally, Ronaldo helped lead Portugal to its greatest accomplishment: the UEFA European Championship in 2016.”
It’s an exciting addition – or re-addition? – to the Manchester United team, and seemed impossible to accomplish. But Ronaldo is known for doing the impossible, so this transfer is right up his alley.