Calderon: 'Juve not strange for CR7'

By Football Italia staff

Former Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon blames Florentino Perez for Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit, but “it wouldn’t be strange for him to join Juventus.”

There are multiple reports in Italy, Spain and Portugal that Ronaldo is coming to Juve for €100m, a fee set out in a gentlemen’s agreement between the Ballon d’Or winner and President Florentino Perez in January.

It was Calderon who brokered Ronaldo’s transfer from Manchester United in 2009, although he reveals it was done far earlier.

“We reached an agreement with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United in December 2008 to make the move at the end of the season,” Calderon told Tuttomercatoweb.

“It was only made official on July 6, 2009, but the details were all sorted out in December. At the time, Cristiano was decisive in negotiations, as he wanted to wear the Blancos jersey at all costs, but at the same time sought a peaceful exit from a club that he still had great respect for.

“After all, Real Madrid offer every player a unique opportunity to achieve more prestigious targets, both as an individual and a team. This means a great deal when you go to sign a top player.

“If Ronaldo were to leave Real Madrid, he’d leave a gap that would be impossible to fill. It’s not easy to find a champion who, along with participating in the overall team play, can guarantee over 50 goals per season. Ronaldo has been doing that for nine years and we mustn’t forget it.”

Can Calderon explain why Ronaldo seems so determined to leave the Merengues at this time?

“It’s a wide-ranging issue. President Perez has made some great decisions for Real over the years, but his problem is he doesn’t understand the right way to treat the inheritance left by others. It happened with the departures of Iker Casillas and Raul, two legends of Madridismo.

“When I took over, Perez tried to change or even break deals that we had made months beforehand. From that moment, a conflict was created with players that was never resolved. It culminated when Ronaldo realised Florentino did not value him the way he should.

“Ronaldo wanted a better salary, but that’s only normal for the best employee in a company. He was upset when the reports said Real were prepared to pay double his salary to Neymar.

“I hope Florentino Perez can convince Ronaldo to continue with Real Madrid, as the team, club and fans would be truly grateful.”

It seems that Ronaldo hopes he can end the 23-year Juventus drought in the Champions League.

“In terms of history, tradition and ownership, Juventus have for a long time earned the right to be considered one of the big clubs in world football,” continued Calderon.

“This is why it wouldn’t be at all strange if Cristiano should choose the Bianconeri. If he does, then Juventus will undoubtedly be a very fortunate team.

“This signing would allow them to further consolidate their superiority in Serie A and give them an extra gear in the Champions League too. Ronaldo is a huge opportunity and many clubs would love to have him.

“With his talent, technique and fitness levels, he also brings this permanent desire to overcome the impossible. In my long experience of football, I’ve known truly few players who maintain that ambition and obsession with pushing themselves to the max in order to be the best every single day.

“That will allow Ronaldo to continue at his current level for at least another four or five years.”

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