Cristiano Ronaldo Bench Decision Was ‘Mutual’

Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench for Juventus‘ 2-2 draw against Udinese in their Series A opener on Sunday. This decision comes amid speculation regarding Ronaldo’s future with the club.

Ronaldo came on as a substitute for Alvaro Morata at the 60th-minute mark. Morata was given a yellow card for excessive celebration after he thought he’d scored the match-winner only for VAR to rule it void for offside.

Juventus vice president Pavel Nedved told DAZN before the match that Ronaldo’s start on the bench was a mutual decision. “It was a shared decision with the player,” Nedved told Sky Sport Italia. “We are at the beginning of the season, and our conditioning is not at the highest level, not just Cristiano but the entire squad.” Nedved then added: “Cristiano remains at Juventus.”

“Ronaldo is fine,” Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri told Sky Sport Italia. “I spoke with him and, thinking about the match and everyone’s condition, I told him: ‘Come start on the bench because we’re going to need you in the second half.’ He made himself available and did well.”

Allegri dismissed reports on Saturday claiming Ronaldo could leave Turin this summer, claiming the former Real Madrid player had told him he was going to stay.

“He’s told me that he’s staying at Juventus so we can close this issue,” Allegri said in his pre-match press conference on Saturday. “Ronaldo has always trained well and has always been available. I’ve read the rumors in the newspapers, but he has never expressed his desire to leave Juventus.”