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

Former Juventus chief Beppe Marotta has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo could be ‘challenging’ to work with, despite admitting he had a largely positive influence on his dressing room. 

Ronaldo left Real Madrid in 2018 having staked a strong claim to being the best player in the world as one part of the duopoly he held over European football with Barcelona icon Lionel Messi. 

The Al-Nassr star was 33 years old by the time he arrived in Turin, Ronaldo enjoyed a hugely fruitful spell at The Old Lady, netting 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 in his last season to Inter and returning to Manchester United. 

Despite the success he undoubtedly had in Turin, though, former CEO Marotta claimed that things were not always plain sailing with the star, although he did help to get the best out of his team-mates. 

The Portugal star scored 101 goals in 134 games at The Old Lady, winning two Serie A titles

‘He was a very good player, he still is and above all he is a great champion,’ said Marotta, now at Inter Milan, to Cronache di Spogliatoio.

‘The champion is that person who manages to convey beliefs to his team-mates. He was a bit of a leader of the team, he was the most famous and he dragged the others into the game. 

‘So, it was challenging, but he didn’t make me angry.’

As one of the greatest to ever play the game, Ronaldo may understandably demand standards that most other players might struggle to meet in the dressing room.

The Portuguese legend notably fell out with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag on his return to Old Trafford, which resulted in an acrimonious exit by mutual consent in the middle of the season.

He was not the only player to have made the transition between the two clubs und Marotta’s stewardship, but it was another star that the ex-CEO claims was the most ‘complex’ signing made early in his time at the club. 

‘There is a player today who’s at Juventus called Pogba,’ he added. ‘It was a very complicated deal. 

‘Because he came from Manchester United, he hadn’t signed a contract so there were many teams that wanted 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 campaign