Ronaldo: 'I dreamed of Juventus'

By Football Italia staff

Cristiano Ronaldo admits he dreamed as a child of playing for Juventus, felt “unbelievable” at the standing ovation in Turin and hails the “family” atmosphere.

The €100m plus bonuses signing gave an exclusive interview to Juventus TV after joining the side for pre-season training.

“I feel great. Everything is good, the test was good, people around the stadium, the fans, the people in the training ground are very nice with me. I’m glad, I’m happy.”

The Ballon d’Or winner surprised everyone when leaving Real Madrid, so what made him choose Juventus?

“Great club, first of all it is a great club. Since I was a kid, I looked at this team and said I hope to play there one day. Now I will play for a fantastic club, one of the biggest clubs in the world. I’m happy.

“I don’t have a precise moment when I decided. During the years, we played a few times against Juve and I had a special feeling that the Italian supporters like Cristiano.

“It’s the biggest club in Italy, one of the best in the world, so it was an easy decision, as Juve are an unbelievable club.”

When Real Madrid won their Champions League quarter-final in Turin last season, Ronaldo scored a sensational bicycle kick and was rewarded with a standing ovation by his opposition crowd.

“Unbelievable. I remember every day, that never happened to me before. In the Champions League against Juve, a quarter-final, you score a goal and see everyone in the stadium applaud you. It was an unbelievable feeling.

“I felt surprised at the beginning. I am used to following Juve and I like the club, but since that moment I liked them even more. I won’t say it was the key point in my decision, but every detail helps. Maybe. Of course, it helps when you see the people like you, the supporters and club like you, the feeling is completely different.

“I have to say thank you to all of them for the support. My priority is to do my best, be professional, try to make the team even better. That is my job, I’ll try to enjoy it as much as I can and make Juventus even better.

“My first goal will happen in a natural way, I’m not thinking about that. I know that I will be prepared, I’ll be ready, but my first goal doesn’t matter. I just want to be ready.

“I want to be in good shape, help the team, win trophies – that is what I’m looking for.”

Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or five times, so is there a feeling he is yet to experience in football?

“I don’t know, maybe it’ll be different here in this club. So far, I feel the people at the club are different, they are nice and like a family. The supporters are the same.

“I’m excited and of course I want to make them happy. I’ve been a professional for 15-16 years, so my method is always the same. I played for many years at Manchester United and Real Madrid, now is a new adventure, but I want to always keep the same working method and ethic, helping the team to achieve our goals.”

After the Premier League and La Liga, Cristiano Ronaldo will make his Serie A debut at the age of 33.

“I know the league, as I followed it on television, but never played here before. I hope that I can adapt very fast, but I come here for the challenge to the best club in Italy, is exciting and I hope to start the season as well as possible.

“Thank you for everything, I’ll do my best and for sure we’re going to win things together.”

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