Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo insists his sole focus is on Euro 2020 and reports of interest from rival clubs are causing him no “sleepless nights”.
Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juve in 2019, but the move has not worked out quite as planned. Although the Bianconeri won the Serie A title for a ninth successive season in the forward’s first campaign, they lost their crown to Inter this term and scraped Champions League qualification.
Success in Europe’s premier club competition, which Ronaldo won five times with Manchester United and Madrid, continues to evade the Turin giants. A frustrating season ended with Massimiliano Allegri returning to replace Andrea Pirlo, and there has been speculation Ronaldo could follow his coach out of the door.
Madrid, United and Paris Saint-Germain have been credited with an interest in a player who continues to deliver superb individual results. Ronaldo’s 29 goals in 2020-21 won the Capocannoniere, having previously also been the top scorer in the Premier League and LaLiga.
Since joining Juve, only Robert Lewandowski (103) has scored more goals in all competitions than Ronaldo’s 73 among players in Europe’s top five leagues. The 36-year-old’s 83 goal involvements rank fourth behind Lewandowski (121), Lionel Messi (106) and Kylian Mbappe (97).
Those returns would surely interest a host of clubs, but Ronaldo is not looking any further ahead than the Euros, with Portugal starting their title defence against Hungary on Tuesday.
Stand out news
“I’ve been playing at the highest level for many years. This doesn’t faze me at all,” Ronaldo said ahead of the Hungary game. “If I were starting out, if I were 18 or 19, I’d have some sleepless nights. But I’m 36 years old and whatever comes will be for the best
“Regardless of staying in Juve or being transferred, the crucial thing is the Euros. For me, it’s my fifth Euros, but it’s like my first. I want to start on the right foot and we want to play a good match.”
Ronaldo holds the record for the most games (21), most goals (nine, tied with Michel Platini) and most tournaments with at least one goal (four) at the European Championship. With 104 international goals, he is also closing on Ali Daei’s benchmark of 109.
Adding to that tally in the group stage of Euro 2020 will be tough, with Portugal drawn into a pool with Hungary, France and Germany. They have not won their opening game at a tournament since Euro 2008.
But Ronaldo is confident his side are ready, explaining: “If you tell me that we’re going to lose tomorrow and win the Euros, that’s my choice.” Only Spain, in 2008 and 2012, have previously won back-to-back European Championships.
“We are not the same team as we were in 2016,” Ronaldo added. “This is a younger team, a team with great potential and only by playing will we know if we are better or worse than 2016.
“On a personal level, I’m not the same player I was 18 years ago. From 18 to 36, I’ve learned to adapt regardless of winning silverware. On a personal level, I’ve always been able to win. The same on a collective level, too. I think I’ve adjusted throughout my career.”
