Cristiano Ronaldo was ‘challenging’ to work with, reveals ex-Juventus CEO – but Portuguese superstar ‘was a leader who dragged the others into the game’ during his three trophy-laden years
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored 101 goals in 134 games while at Juventus between 2018 and 2021
- During his three-year spell, the Portuguese icon won two consecutive Scudettos
- It's great, but we're baffled by what Big Ange is doing – It all starts
Former Juventus boss Beppe Marotta has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo could be 'challenging' to work with, despite admitting he has had a largely positive influence on his dressing room.
Ronaldo left Real Madrid in 2018 after making a strong claim to be the best player in the world as part of the duopoly he had over European football with Barcelona icon Lionel Messi.
The Al-Nassr star was 33 years old when he arrived in Turin. Ronaldo enjoyed a hugely fruitful spell at The Old Lady, scoring 101 goals in his 134 appearances over three years.
He would also continue the club's dominance in Italy, extending their run to nine consecutive Serie A titles before missing out on his final season with Inter and returning to Manchester United.
Despite the success he undoubtedly had in Turin, former CEO Marotta claimed things were not always smooth sailing for the star, although he did help get the best out of his teammates.
Former Juventus CEO Beppe Marotta claimed Cristiano Ronaldo could be 'challenging' to work with
The Portuguese star scored 101 goals in 134 games at The Old Lady and won two Serie A titles
“He was a very good player, he still is and above all he is a great champion,” Marotta, now at Inter Milan, told Cronache di Spogliatoio.
'The champion is that person who manages to convey beliefs to his teammates. He was kind of the leader of the team, he was the most famous and he dragged the others into the game.
“So it was a challenge, but he didn't make me angry.”
As one of the best players to ever play the game, it can be understandable that Ronaldo sets standards that most other players in the dressing room struggle to meet.
The Portuguese legend notably fell out with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag upon his return to Old Trafford, resulting in an acrimonious mid-season exit by mutual consent.
He wasn't the only player to make the move between the two clubs and Marotta's stewardship, but it was another star who the ex-CEO said was the most 'complex' signing he made early in his time at the club.
“There is a player at Juventus today called Pogba,” he added. 'It was a very complicated deal.
'Coming from Manchester United he hadn't signed a contract so there were a lot of teams wanting him. It was difficult to negotiate his purchase, it was very complex.'
Ronaldo left the club to return to Manchester United at the end of the 2020/21 season
