Cristiano Ronaldo has finally reacted to Juventus' disappointing Champions League exit at the hands of Porto on Tuesday night.
The Bianconeri were knocked out on away goals for the second year on the trot, with Sergio Oliveira's extra time free-kick proving to be the difference.
Loading…
Ronaldo, who didn't score in either leg, came under immense criticism after turning his back in the wall and allowing the ball to go through his legs.
Fabio Capello called it "an unforgivable mistake" and Juventus legend Alessio Tacchinardi demanded Ronaldo apologise for the part he played in the European exit.
But while Ronaldo hasn't said sorry, he did take to Instagram to post a lengthy message.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner wrote: "More important than the number of falls you take in life, is how fast and how strong you get back on your feet... True champions never break! Our focus is already in Cagliari, in the Serie A struggle, in the Italian Cup final and in everything that we can still achieve this season.
"It's true that the past belongs in museums (I should say!), but fortunately, football has memory... and so do I! History can't be deleted, it's written every single day with resilience, team spirit, persistence and lots of hard work. And those who don't understand this, will never achieve glory and success."
Reigning champions Juventus take on Cagliari on Sunday and are currently ten points behind league leaders, albeit with a game in hand.
With 92 goals in 121 appearances, Ronaldo has helped the Bianconeri to two league titles in his time in Turin but hasn't got past the quarter finals of the Champions League.
Signed for £99 million in 2018, former chairman Giovanni Gigli believes it hasn't been a worthwhile investment for the club.
Asked if Juve got it wrong in splashing out to sign him, he told Radio Punto Nuovo: "Absolutely, yes! I said that on his very first day at Juventus. He is a great champion but is too expensive.
"Now it's up to Juventus. They've been paying him €1 million per goal. [Juventus president Andrea] Agnelli must be self-critical, but he doesn't have great collaborators.
"The club should free Ronaldo at the end of the season and the same goes for [Fabio] Paratici [the club's Chief Football Officer]. Maybe Agnelli had promoted him to remove him from his position afterwards. This could be the scenario."
Ronaldo is contracted until 2022 but there has been no talk of an extension. Reports in Spain claim he misses Real Madrid and that his agent Jorge Mendes is already working towards bringing him back to Los Blancos.
Topics: Football, Juventus, Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo
- Cristiano Ronaldo could sue Juventus after 'secret document' leak reveals they 'owe' him millions
- Footage Of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League Heartbreak With Juventus Resurfaces After Transfer Plea
- The Last Time Cristiano Ronaldo Faced Atletico Madrid In A Champions League Knockout Fixture Will Go Down In History
- Cristiano Ronaldo has already made plans for when he hangs up his boots
