Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici on Monday, said that it wasn’t an easy job to replace someone like Cristiano Ronaldo and also played down Manchester United’s Paul Pogba’s return to Italy.
The 33-year Ronaldo joined Juventus from Real Madrid last summer for a sum of 100 million euros (USD 115 million). So far, he has netted four goals in eight appearances for Juventus while his former club Real Madrid seems to miss his services, as they have been unable to find the net even once in the last four matches, losing three and drawing one in the process.
“Ronaldo is probably the best player in the history of the game so he isn’t easy to replace,” said Paratici as quoted by AFP at the Manlio Scopigno ceremony where he received the “Manager of the Year.”
He also said that the Portuguese star had been interested in joining the Serie A giants from the beginning.
“We talked about it initially, and straight away we got the feeling he wanted to join us, which was a huge advantage,” added Paratici.
“Real Madrid had a gentleman’s agreement with him, the ownership kicked things off and negotiations began.” Paratici stressed Juventus’s support for the Portuguese star Ronaldo, currently embroiled in damaging rape allegations.
“Cristiano is a very simple person and an excellent professional, he has all our support,” he added.
He also denied the return of French World Cup winner Pogba to Italy. The star midfielder played for Juventus from 2012 to 2016 before heading to Manchester United in a then world record transfer fee of 89 million.
Said Paratici,” We love him very much.
“We want him to do well since we are close to him but he isn’t a Juve player anymore.
“We’re connected to him, but we’ve never thought about it and we’re not going to think about it,” he stated.
Also read: Serie A: Cristiano Ronaldo scores for Juventus in their tenth successive win
The 46-year old also denied any move made for Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, adding that he is a “great player.”
He said, “He’s a great player, but we haven’t spoken to him or Lazio.”
The departure of general manager Giuseppe Marotta is all set to add more responsibility on the shoulders of Paratici, who said that his goal would always be the same and that is to make the Turin giants a much more stronger outfit.
Up to now, I was happy with my position but things will now probably change a little.
“My goal will always stay the same, to make Juve as strong as possible. I want to dedicate the award I won today to Mr. Marotta who was like a father to me,” Paratici said.
Image credit-The Week UK