Every year, Juventus owners hold a pre-season friendly between the first team and the reserves in Villar Perosa, a small town where the Agnelli family owns an estate. The fans traditionally invade the pitch at the full-time whistle, but couldn’t contain themselves yesterday, as they all wanted to get up close and personal with Cristiano Ronaldo. As a result, the game was abandoned prematurely in the 72nd minute.
Over 5000 fans flocked Villar Perosa, a town with a population of 4000, to watch Cristiano Ronaldo make his Juventus debut. The Portuguese didn’t disappoint, scoring his first Juve goal just eight minutes into the contest. The Italians champions were already up 5-0 against the reserves when the match was stopped. Everyone wanted a piece of CR7, who signed autographs once people settled down.
Why Juventus?
Ronaldo joined the club for €100 million (plus add-ons) this summer, the highest fee for a footballer over 30 ever. After nine years and five Champions League titles in Real Madrid, Cristiano wanted a new challenge and chose Juventus in large part due to the admiration he has for their fans. They bought the Portuguese superstar in last season’s Champions League quarter-final first leg when they gave Ronaldo a standing ovation following his dazzling bicycle kick goal. He has stated the reception he got from Juventus supporters that day played an important role in his choice to come to Italy.
Juventus’ 22-year wait
The seven-time reigning Serie A champions made the purchase with a single objective in mind – winning the Champions League, the competition which has eluded the club over the past two decades. Juventus have lost their last five CL finals, with their last win coming in 1996, when they defeated Ajax on penalties.
Massimiliano Allegri knows this but is wary of complacency in other competitions.
“The ambition is obviously to go as far as possible in the Champions League, but as always, the Coppa Italia and the Scudetto are also essential to us, because nobody gives out trophies until you earn them on the field.”
As for Cristiano Ronaldo, well, the Old Lady’s manager is just happy to have him on board.
