Former CEO of Juventus Giuseppe Marotta has admitted that he had reservations about the decision to sign Cristiano Ronaldo due to the financial implications. In a surprising move, Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juventus in 2018, marking the end of a successful nine-year stint in the Spanish capital. Juventus paid a staggering €100 million ($107 million) for the then-33-year-old, making him the most expensive signing in Italian soccer history. Reportedly, Ronaldo signed a contract worth €31 million ($33.26 million) per year, a figure significantly higher than any other player at the club at the time. Despite acknowledging Ronaldo’s undeniable talent, Marotta believed that the financial demands of the deal were not justified.
During an interview with DAZN, Marotta expressed his respect for Juventus but also recognized the need to adapt to the club’s changing strategies. He admitted that he did not fully agree with the decision to sign Ronaldo, citing the financial burden it placed on the club. Marotta’s departure from Juventus shortly after Ronaldo’s arrival led to speculation that the signing played a role in the split. However, Marotta denied this, stating that the end of a cycle and the need for change were the primary factors.
Ronaldo spent three seasons with Juventus before returning to Manchester United. During his time in Turin, the 39-year-old played 134 matches in all competitions, scoring 101 goals and providing 22 assists. He won two Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, and two Supercoppa Italiana with the club. Despite his individual success, Ronaldo was unable to guide Juventus past the quarter-final stage in the UEFA Champions League. In his three seasons, he played 23 matches in the competition, scoring 14 goals.