Khaberni - Media reports confirmed that the ghost of Cristiano Ronaldo still haunts Juventus, both on the field and in the financial ledgers.
The British newspaper The Athletic stated that despite the years since the Portuguese star's departure from Turin, the repercussions of that era continue to leave a deep impact on the club which is now facing accumulated financial and administrative crises.
The newspaper explained: "Currently, Juventus is engaged in an arbitration dispute with Ronaldo over delayed financial dues he claims, originating from the period of the coronavirus pandemic when an agreement to defer some wages was made, before things complicated further following his move to Manchester United in the summer of 2021."
It added: "This file has now become one of the main headlines within the club walls, embodying the complex legacy of the deal which was initially seen as a dream sport and economic move but later turned into a heavy burden."
The newspaper continued: "Enlisting Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid in 2018 was a bold step aimed at restoring Juventus to the pinnacle of Europe and winning the Champions League which has been missing from their trophy cabinet since 1996."
It went on: "The management at the time saw in the Portuguese star a symbol of marketing power and sports success, and a bridge to expand the club's global presence and increase commercial revenues where indeed, the club saw an increase in shirt sales and number of followers on its platforms in its first season, as well as substantial financial returns from sponsors and television broadcasting."
However, on the sports level, the envisaged dreams were not realized, as despite Ronaldo’s remarkable figures and his contribution in winning domestic championships, the team failed to break the European barrier, and faced early eliminations in the Champions League, placing the feasibility of the deal under question.
Over time, the hefty cost of the contract which exceeded 30 million euros annually began to heavily press on the club’s budget, especially amid declining revenues due to the pandemic.
