Juventus sporting director, Fabio Paratici, has revealed the Serie A club decided to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, after his stunning bicycle kick against them in April.
Ronaldo lit up the Champions League quarter-final first leg in Turin with two goals, including a sensational overhead kick in the second half.
The then-Real Madrid star was applauded by the home fans inside the Allianz Stadium.
“The crazy idea started after the crazy goal he scored against us,” Paratici told Sky Italia.
“(Ronaldo’s agent) Jorge Mendes told us that Cristiano was stunned by the attention he received, he said that one day he would like to come to Juventus.”
After Ronaldo was officially unveiled on Monday, Paratici revealed more details of the €100million (£88m/$117m) transfer.
“I asked Mendes about Cristiano when we closed the deal for [Joao] Cancelo.
“[Mendes] explained the situation to me.
“I talked to our president, Andrea Agnelli. In the first place, the figures were the most difficult thing.
“Agnelli took a few hours, he told me to go ahead and see if there was really an opportunity.
“Cristiano is the strongest player in the world and the negotiations were done between two big clubs like Juventus and Real Madrid.
“It’s easier to do business and make transfers with a great player like him and a great agent like Mendes,” he added.
Comments