3 Reasons Why Cristiano Ronaldo Could Join Juventus

For millions around the globe, the name, Real Madrid is synonymous with one man; Cristiano Ronaldo. Since his world record move to The Galacticos in 2009, Real Madrid have won four Champions League titles, two Spanish La Liga titles and two Copa Del Rey trophies as well as cemented their place as Europe’s premier club.

Ronaldo helped Real Madrid close the gap on the all-conquering Barcelona as he started to emerge from the shadow cast by the genius of Lionel Messi. In 2012, Lionel Messi had four Ballons d’Or, whilst the Portuguese forward had the solitary title he earned during his time at Manchester United.

Six years later, the pair are level on five Ballons d’Or each, as Ronaldo elevated his game and narrowed any gap between himself and the Argentinian.

During his time in Spain, Cristiano has also established himself as a global brand, with his Superman celebration and the CR7 brand familiar to millions right around the world.

Ronaldo is now 33 and by no means a spring chicken, although his physical condition means he is likely to play at the top level for another few years. He has the status, trophies, and lifestyle, so why would Cristiano Ronaldo want to leave Real Madrid?

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#3 Ronaldo may be looking for a new challenge

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Champions League three years in a row with Real Madrid

The key to Cristiano Ronaldo’s continued success is his desire and motivation to keep on adding to his already impressive trophy haul. During the 2010/11 season, Barcelona won a historic treble as Messi secured a third Ballon d'Or in a row.

Many from then on would have accepted inferiority to the Argentinian and not been able to make a name for themselves. However, Ronaldo's four Champions League titles and two La Liga titles mean that he too has made his mark on the Ronaldo vs Messi rivalry.

The 33-year-old has won everything at club level and therefore might be looking for a new challenge to reignite his fire. Juventus have dominated Serie A and won the last seven league titles but have failed to translate that into European success.

In this season's Champions League, the Portuguese striker scored the winner in the quarter-final Champions League tie against Juventus with a last minute penalty.

The Old Lady have also lost two European finals in the last four years, with defeats coming against Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.

Ronaldo bagged a brace against the Italian champions in the 2017 Champions League final. He could be the difference-maker and the match winner Juve need.

#2 Ronaldo could help Juventus through their transition phase

Gianluigi Buffon has left Juventus after 17 years

Juventus have experienced profound change over the past few years, as the long-serving veterans give way to the bright, young stars of the future. Former Arsenal stopper Wojciech Szczesny has the mighty task of replacing the evergreen Gianluigi Buffon and, at 28, he is heading into the prime years of his career.

A similar change has occurred at the right-back spot with Colombia’s Santiago Arias likely to join the Italian giants by the end of the transfer window and acts as a replacement to the long-serving Stephan Lichtsteiner.

At the age of 26, he too is approaching the best years of his career and will be key to the Juventus defence. Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli will also need replacing in the near future as Juve’s legendary backline begins to get taken apart.

The signing of Emre Can signals The Old Lady’s desire to inject some youth into the current side, with Sami Khedira, Blaise Matuidi, and Claudio Marchisio all on the wrong side of thirty. So why would Juve go for Cristiano Ronaldo, if youth is their priority?

Ronaldo’s physique and fitness mean he is likely to play at the top for a couple more years and could even represent Portugal at the next World Cup if he wanted to. The Portuguese legend has also changed his game over the last few years and now spends more time in and around the penalty area, putting less strain on his body compared to other wingers.

Former Real Madrid man Gonzalo Higuain has done wonders for both Juventus and Napoli during his time in Serie A. The Argentine even broke a record that stood for 66 years, as he registered 36 goals in his last season for Napoli; a record Ronaldo would be proud of.

However, one question mark over Higuain has been his big match pedigree and his habit of missing crucial chances. Ronaldo is the best in the business at finishing chances and could prove the difference between Juve winning a treble or The Old Lady ending the season with just the Serie A title.

#1 An uncertain future for Real Madrid

Zidane revealing his decision to leave as Fiorentino Perez looks on nervously

Last season, Real Madrid won their 13th European Cup, putting them six clear of second-placed AC Milan. Their victory over Liverpool in Kiev was also Los Blancos’ third European cup in a row; a feat that was last achieved by Bayern Munich between 1974 to 1976.

On the surface then, it seems all is well at the Santiago Bernabeu, given Real Madrid’s dominance on the European stage in recent years. However, a simple look below the surface reveals some very deep problems.

Nobody could have predicted the manner in which Real Madrid surrendered the Spanish league title, as they finished 17 points behind Barcelona. Despite all the achievements, the mighty Real Madrid look to be a club on the decline; something Ronaldo does not want to be part of.

The departure of the legendary player and manager Zinedine Zidane sent shockwaves right through the Bernabeu and beyond. Zidane felt as though he had taken the team as far as he could and thought they needed a “new discourse”; an outlook that is perfectly understandable given the achievements and the records broken.

The appointment of the Frenchman’s replacement Julien Lopetegui was done in the most Real Madrid way possible, as Fiorentino Perez pulled out all the stops to get his man, even disregarding their own national side's World Cup chances in the process.

To top this, the Real Madrid squad is ageing with Luka Modric, Keylor Navas, Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema all on the wrong side of 30. Although Gareth Bale has undisputed talent, his injury record and intention to move away from the Bernabeu mean he is not in a position to replace the Portuguese legend.

Although the likes of Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez may come good in the future, Los Blancos simply do not have enough to replace a man like Ronaldo in the immediate future.