The transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid to Juventus in the summer of 2018 remains one of the most significant and talked-about moves in football history. It was a transfer that seemingly materialized out of thin air, especially considering Ronaldo’s previous statements just a year prior where he expressed his desire to retire at Real Madrid.
Ronaldo was more than just a player for Real Madrid; he was an institution. He was instrumental in their unprecedented success in the Champions League, leading them to four titles and becoming their all-time top scorer with an astounding 450 goals. Given this incredible success and his seemingly deep connection with the club, the question on everyone’s lips was: why did Cristiano Ronaldo leave Real Madrid to join Juventus? Let’s delve into the reasons behind this earth-shattering transfer.
Feeling No Longer “Indispensable” to Florentino Perez
According to Cristiano Ronaldo himself, the primary reason for his departure stemmed from a feeling of no longer being valued as “indispensable” by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. In his own words, Ronaldo stated that this shift in perception from the president was a major catalyst for his decision to seek a new challenge.
He elaborated on this sentiment in a 2018 interview with France Football, explaining, “I felt within the club, especially from the president, that I was no longer considered in the same way as I was at the beginning. For the first four or five years, I felt like Cristiano Ronaldo. Less so after. The president looked at me in a way that suggested I was no longer indispensable, if you know what I mean. That is what made me think about leaving.”
This feeling of diminished importance was reportedly compounded by Juventus’s strong interest in acquiring him. Ronaldo perceived Juventus’s desire as a stark contrast to what he felt was a waning appreciation from Real Madrid, further pushing him towards the Turin-based club. The departure of manager Zinedine Zidane around the same time also played a role in his considerations, as Zidane was a figure he deeply respected and had a strong working relationship with.
The Specter of a Pay Rise and Neymar’s Shadow
Beyond feeling undervalued, reports emerged suggesting that financial considerations and the potential arrival of Neymar Jr. at Real Madrid also contributed to Ronaldo’s exit. Following Real Madrid’s Champions League victory in 2018, it was rumored that Ronaldo requested a pay increase to reflect his continued world-class performances and status.
Simultaneously, speculation was rife about Real Madrid’s interest in signing Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain. Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon suggested that Florentino Perez’s reluctance to grant Ronaldo a significant pay rise, coupled with the perceived willingness to spend heavily on Neymar, fueled Ronaldo’s decision to leave.
Calderon stated in an interview with Radio Villa Trinidad: “Cristiano asked for a raise after winning the Champions League and Florentino denied it. Cristiano also got angry because he heard that Madrid would be willing to pay a lot of money for Neymar. Florentino told him that if he brought in a cheque for 100 million euros he would let him go and that’s how it was.”
While Ronaldo himself denied that money was the driving force, stating, “If it had all been about money, I’d have moved to China, where I would have earned five times as much than here [at Juventus] or at Real. I did not come to Juve for the money. I earned the same in Madrid, if not more,” the perception of being undervalued financially and potentially replaced by Neymar likely played a role in his deliberations.
The Tax Case Controversy: A Contributing Factor?
Another theory that surfaced to explain Ronaldo’s move to Juventus was his ongoing tax case in Spain. In 2017, Ronaldo became embroiled in a high-profile tax evasion case, which concluded in early 2019 with him agreeing to pay around €19 million in fines.
During the initial stages of the prosecution in 2017, Spanish media reported that Ronaldo felt mistreated by the Spanish authorities and even threatened to leave the country. He publicly criticized what he perceived as “fake news” surrounding the case, taking to social media in early 2018 to express his frustration and accusing detractors of trying to “spoil the beautiful moment” in his career.
However, despite these reports and Ronaldo’s clear displeasure with the situation, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez downplayed the tax case as a significant factor in Ronaldo’s departure. In an interview with Onda Cero in May 2019, Perez stated, “There were rumours about him wanting to leave because of the tax case, but that’s not the reality of the situation. He wanted a change and to improve his contract, so he found it at Juventus and everyone was happy.”
Conclusion: A Convergence of Factors
In conclusion, while pinpointing a single definitive reason for why Cristiano Ronaldo decided to leave Real Madrid is challenging, it’s likely a combination of factors that led to his transfer to Juventus. His feeling of being less valued by Florentino Perez, the allure of a new challenge at Juventus, potential financial disputes, and the shadow of the Neymar transfer all likely played a part. Whether the tax case was a direct motivator remains debatable, but it undoubtedly contributed to the overall atmosphere surrounding Ronaldo’s final years in Madrid. Ultimately, Ronaldo’s departure marked the end of an era for Real Madrid and the beginning of a new chapter for one of football’s greatest ever players in Italy.
