Leaving Real Madrid to join Italian champions Juventus was an easy choice for new signing Cristiano Ronaldo, who was unveiled in Turin on Monday evening.
After passing a medical earlier in the day, the Portugal international greeted fans and met his teammates before being introduced to the world’s media to discuss the move.
He revealed that the Bianconeri were always one of his favoured destinations and that he was not tempted to take the well-worn path to Asia in search of riches, while also claiming that Juventus’ offer was the only one he received.
“It was an easy decision for me considering the power of Juventus because this is one of the best teams in the world. I have decided that I wanted to go for some time,” he told a massive media crowd in Turin.
“My friends have said for some time that this is a club where I could play. As I said, given the size of the club, it was an easy decision for me. It is a very important step in my career.
“This is the best Italian club, with a great coach and a president who is used to winning. I’m here because it is a huge challenge for my career. Usually players my age like to choose Qatar or China but I’m happy with my choice.
“What I want to do is win at Juventus. I didn’t come here on holiday. I will leave my mark in the club’s history and try to surprise everyone once more.”
Ronaldo also confessed that he is fired up by the challenge of adapting to a new style of football in Serie A but was also keen to temper expectations that he is the man to end Juventus’ long wait for Champions League success, having now won the competition five times himself.
“As I’ve said before, I really like new challenges and I know that this will be a difficult and tactical division but I like to try other things and experiment. I know that this will be tough but nothing in my career has ever been easy,” he added.
“I don’t like sitting on a chair at home and that will never happen. I’m confident in my football, my teammates and Juventus. When it comes to the Champions League, all teams want to win it.
“It isn’t easy but there’s an opportunity for us to win it. We will fight for all trophies that we are in, although it is true that this competition weighs heavily. It is hard to win but I want to help Juventus who have came close in recent years but finals are an unknown quantity.”
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com