Cristiano Ronaldo Asks Not To Play For Juventus As He Waits For Summer Exit

Cristiano Ronaldo is not playing for Juventus today because he wants to leave the club.

The Bianconeri are playing against Udinese in the first Serie A game of the season but their talismanic forward asked not to start the fixture despite being fit and available.

As per Fabrizio Romano, Juventus have not yet received an official offer for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner but Ronaldo is determined to move on and hopeful of a bid coming in prior to the transfer window's conclusion.

Despite the widespread reports, Juventus vice-president Pavel Nedved claims Ronaldo being placed on the bench is down to his fitness and not his future.

He is also adamant that the Portuguese superstar will not be departing this summer.

“We mustn’t try to create sensational stories where there aren’t any,” the 2003 Ballon d'Or winner told DAZN.

“It was a decision shared with the player. At the start of the season, naturally he is not at top fitness. The coach is trying to use the best line-up at this moment, for example Giorgio Chiellini is also on the bench today.

“The decisions were made to be most competitive today.

“I can absolutely confirm Ronaldo will remain at Juventus this season.”

Ronaldo joined Juventus in a shock £99 million deal from Real Madrid in 2018 and has scored 101 goals in 133 appearances, winning the Scudetto on two occasions.

He has been linked with a sensational return to Real Madrid, where he would reunite with Carlo Ancelotti after the Italian went back to Los Blancos.

Ancelotti played down talk, stating he had "never asked or planned to sign Cristiano this summer".

Ronaldo then commented on the speculation in a lengthy Instagram post, stating that his story at Real "has been written".