Ronaldo staying despite starting season opener on bench

 

Milan

Cristiano Ronaldo will remain at Juventus this season despite being picked on the bench for their opening fixture of the new Serie A campaign at Udinese, club director Pavel Nedved insisted on Sunday.

Juve legend Nedved said that the decision to not start the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has been subject to intense speculation about his future this summer, was a “shared decision” between Ronaldo and returning coach Massimiliano Allegri. “You shouldn’t try to create sensationalised stories where there aren’t any,” Nedved told broadcaster DAZN.

“He isn’t at peak fitness, and the coach tried to pick the best possible line-up for now… The decisions were made in order to be as competitive as possible today. “He is absolutely staying at Juventus.”

Sky Sport Italia claimed that Ronaldo asked not to be picked in starting line-up as he still hopes to leave 36-time Italian champions before the end of month, when the transfer window closes.

Allegri chose Alvaro Morata to lead line in a front three which also included Paulo Dybala and Juan Cuadrado. Italy forward Federico Chiesa was named as a substitute while midfielder Manuel Locatelli.—AFP