Cristiano Ronaldo was full of praise at his first Juventus press conference, calling the club ‘one of the best in the world.’
The former Real Madrid man underwent his Juventus medical earlier today before being presented to the assembled worlds media at Juventus Stadium.
“In my opinion Juventus is one of the best clubs in the world,” Ronaldo told the Press conference.
“It was a well thought through decision, and my friends and teammates told me for a long time this was a club that would suit me.
“So it was an easy decision given the power and size of the club, it’s the biggest club in Italy.
“There are outstanding directors and an outstanding Coach and a great President who is used to winning, so it wasn’t a difficult decision in that sense.
“I enjoy football, I’m still quite young and I’ve always liked challenges in my life: from Sporting, to Manchester United, to Real to Juventus.
“I’m not sad [about leaving Real Madrid], this is a big club and with all due respect players at this stage of my career usually go to Qatar or China.
“So I’m grateful to Juventus for allowing me to join such a big club.
“My nine years in Madrid were beautiful but this is a brand new step in my life. I thank the supporters with all my heart, but I have to focus on this new challenge.
“I’ll try to show that I’m a top player, I’m going to work hard and I’m very ambitious. I don’t like to stay in my comfort zone, I like to seize new challenges.
“I know it’ll be difficult, but throughout my career I’ve always had difficult challenges. I don’t like to sit and look back at my successes, I want to move forward to new successes.
“I believe in my ability, I believe in my teammates and I’m sure everything will be very successful.
“I’m different from all the other players who think their career is over at my age. I want to show that I’m not like the others. I’m different.
“I feel great. It’s a big challenge, it’s a tough league but I’ll be ready. As I said before, age isn’t important, I feel good and motivated. Excited. I’ll try to do my best as always and I’m looking forward to trying to do my best and winning every title.
“I know that the Champions League is a trophy that every club would like to win, it’s an objective.
“We’re going to fight for that and for the Scudetto, and all the other trophies.
“I know the competition will be tough, but we have to be calm and focused because it’s not easy to win the Champions League. Of course, I want to try to help.
“Juventus have been one step away from it and couldn’t win. Even if you get to the final it’s not certain you’ll win, but I hope I can be the lucky charm.
“I’m not here on holiday, I want to make history with Juventus.”
After winning the Champions League with Real in May, Ronaldo said “it has been nice playing for Real Madrid” – had he already decided to join Juve?
“I hadn’t decided in that moment to move to Juventus. Thanks to the President and the top management though, they thought of me and there were many important things.
“I’m in good shape physically, emotionally and mentally and I’m so proud to be here.
“As I’ve said, there are players who think their career is over at 32, 33 or 34 but being able to make this choice shows that I’m different from the others.
“I’ve had the chance to meet my new Coach, but I’ll start training on July 30. I’d like to play my first match in Serie A on August 12 [19], the first match.
“Juventus gave me a wonderful opportunity and I’m so grateful for that. I can see that Juventus is a club that can have a lot of success, they’ve won domestic cups and Scudetti and were in the Champions League final.
“I’m so proud to be here, I’m proud they were interested in me and I hope I can take Juventus to an even higher level.
“MEssi? I don’t see players as rivals.
“Everyone speaks about my rivalry with Messi, but everyone fights for their own club and that’s what I’ll do here.
“In the end we’ll look back and see who is the best.
“The Ballon d’Or? I’m not thinking about that. Of course I want to win and be the best, but who knows?
“Maybe I’ll be awarded it again, but things will happen naturally. It was difficult to win it before, and it will be here too. So we’ll see.
“Ancelotti? No, we haven’t talked yet but I liked working with him. We’re not working together anymore and next time we meet we’ll be opponents, but I’ll be very glad to see him because he really supported me.
“The standing ovation? It was a really a stunning moment. To be rewarded in that way is really gratifying, so I hope I can reward them in kind when I play for them. I’d also like to thank all the fans who came to the airport last night and here this morning.”
[Image from Juventus.com]
