Cristiano Ronaldo Confirms It Was His Decision To Leave Real Madrid

The biggest transfer of this summer yet was completed with little fuss after Real Madrid confirmed Tuesday that they had reached an agreement with Juventus for the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portugal international is arguably one of the greatest players in the history of soccer and had spent the last nine years at the Spanish capital and he was not expected to leave the La Liga giants this summer.

Ronaldo won his fifth career Champions League title – his fourth in five years – with Real earlier this year and was expected to sign a new contract and finish his career with the Spanish giants. However, in an unexpected turn of events, the La Liga outfit granted the player his wish to begin a fresh new chapter in the Serie A and accepted Juventus’ $131 million (€112m) bid for the forward.

“Real Madrid C. F. inform that, as per Cristiano Ronaldo's wishes and at his request, the club has allowed the player to complete his move to Juventus F. C.” a statement read on the club’s official website. “Real Madrid would today like to place on record its thanks to a player who has shown himself to be the best in the world and made his mark on one of the greatest periods in our club's history and on the world game."

“Cristiano Ronaldo will forever be one of Real Madrid's biggest icons and will represent a unique figure for future generations. Real Madrid will always be his home,” the statement added.

The 33-year-old signed a four-year deal with the Italian club until the summer of 2022. It remains to be seen if it turns out be yet another masterstroke by the Turin giants or if Real were right in their thinking that they got the best years of Ronaldo.

Real are certain to splash the cash in order to sign a player that can match the star power that Ronaldo holds and it remains to be seen if they can attract their primary target, said to be Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian superstar Neymar.

Ronaldo thanked everyone connected to the club after bringing to an end an immensely successful nine-year spell with the club. During his time, he won 16 honors, which include four Champions League titles.

He also won the Ballon D’Or on four occasions and the golden boot three times. Ronaldo is the leading scorer in the club’s history with 451 goals in 438 appearances. He made it clear that it was his decision to move on and hoped the supporters will understand his decision.

“The years I've spent at Real Madrid and in the city of Madrid have possibly been amongst the happiest of my life,” Ronaldo said in a statement on the club’s website. “I have only feelings of great thanks towards this club, these fans and this city. I can only but thank all of them for the kindness and affection I've been shown.”

“However, 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," he said.

“I've given things a great deal of consideration and know that it's time to embark on a new chapter. Despite me now leaving the club and regardless of where I am, I'll forever continue to feel an allegiance towards this shirt, this badge and the Santiago Bernabéu,” he explained.
“Thank you all and, of course, just as I said nine years ago when I first set foot inside our stadium: Hala Madrid!”