The biggest rumor of the European transfer window was confirmed yesterday when Real Madrid announced the departure of the club’s all-time goal scorer Cristiano Ronaldo to Italian giants Juventus in what is suggested to be the highest transfer fee for a player above 30 years.
Ronaldo’s departure marks the end of an era. In 2009, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez embarked on a rebuilding process; several new players arrived in the Spanish capital and the biggest of them was Cristiano Ronaldo who arrived at a world record fee then. The Portuguese spent nine season with Los Blancos scoring 450 goals in 438 appearances, a ratio of 1.03 goal per game. In addition to his goals, he won four Champions League titles, two Copa del Rey titles, two La Liga titles and three FIFA Club World Cup titles.
According to the Ronaldo in his farewell letter to fans, just like Zinedine Zidane said earlier in the summer, he said; “I believe that the time has come to embark on a new chapter in my life and that’s why I asked the club to allow me to move on. This is how I feel and I would ask everyone, in particular our fans, for their understanding. I’ve had nine absolutely marvelous years here. They’ve been nine unique years. It has been an exciting time, full of success, although they’ve also been tough years because the demands at Real Madrid are extremely high, but I know very well that I’ll never be able to forget how I’ve enjoyed my football here in such a unique way”. The full farewell letter can be read on Realmadrid.com
Ronaldo will always be remembered as the greatest player to ever wear the white shirt in this generation and his farewell letter means fans will also remember his years as a Madridista quite fondly. Cristiano has achieved everything possible at Real Madrid; he knew that as some point the fans may start turning their backs on him when severe decline sets in just like the case of Raul and Iker Casillas. Rather, the Madeira born forward chose the Zidane path and preserved his legacy at a club whose fans demand so much from its players.
For a player with huge ambition and a supreme athlete who is still has the peak of his powers, Juventus and their fans can expect goals because he is arguably the greatest goal scorer the game as seen. The Juventus project isn’t a rebuilding one rather it is one that needs a superstar to get Juventus over the finish line in Europe – the UEFA Champions League. Nothing is impossible for Cristiano, Juventus fans will appreciate that in a short time.
There are several challenges already on the table for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Can he lead Juventus to their first European title since the 1996 success?
Can Cristiano Ronaldo beat the record of most goals (36 Serie A goals) in a single Serie A season held by Gino Rossetti (1928/29 season) and Gonzalo Higuain (2015/16 season)?
Will Cristiano Ronaldo break Ferenc Hirzer long standing 35 goals record which is the most goals scored by a Bianconeri in a single season?
Interestingly, Cristiano Ronaldo can face his former team Real Madrid at the International Champions Cup at the FedexField stadium in Maryland as early as 4th of August.