Massimiliano Allegri dismissed talk regarding Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Juventus and stated that the 36-year-old will play a key part this season.
Massimiliano Allegri dismissed concerns over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future with Juventus on Tuesday, maintaining that the Portugal captain was pumped for the upcoming season.
Allegri, 53, is back as Juve coach two years after being fired despite winning a fifth consecutive league title and accounting for the club’s failure to win the Champions League since 1996.
Allegri was the man who signed Cristiano Ronaldo, a all leading scorer in the Champions League, to a four-year contract in Turin in 2018 in the hopes of winning the European title after placing second in 2015 and 2017.
“Ronaldo? He’s back with great motivation,” Allegri spoke at a press conference about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who had been linked with a move to PSG.
“Ronaldo is a great champion, an extraordinary player and an intelligent lad. I talked to him just as I talked to the other players.
“I told him that this year is an important year, that I am happy to find him again and that he has a greater responsibility than three years ago because we had a very experienced team back then.
“Today, in addition to putting his qualities on the pitch, I also expect things from him in terms of responsibilities.”
During his ½ with Juventus, Allegri won 11 titles, including the Serie A triumph with AC Milan in 2011.
“The five years we spent together were wonderful, then we decided to separate because it was right and now we start a new cycle,” he said.
“I find a team that in the last two years has won a championship with Maurizio Sarri and two trophies with Andrea Pirlo.
“I am very happy with the team I have available. It’s an exciting challenge.”
Allegri’s first task will be to recapture the title from Inter Milan, who he believes start the season as “favourites,” and try to end its drought in the Champions League.
“It is everyone’s wish (to win the Champions League), but let’s take it slow. The first goal is to pass the groups. So let’s take it one step at a time,” he said.
“We are working to fix the team. When I started a few days ago, it felt like I went back 18 years when I started being a coach. I was excited.
Meanwhile, Andrea Agnelli, the club’s president, announced that veteran captain Giorgio Chiellini was ready to sign a new deal after leading Italy to the Euro 2020 victory.
“He has been playing with us for sixteen years. He is our captain, it seemed ridiculous to me to have him interrupt his vacation to get him to sign the contract, Chiellini is not a problem at all.”
Juventus finished fourth last season and open their campaign at Udinese on August 22.
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