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Cristiano Ronaldo Told To 'Apologise' For His Part In Juventus' Champions League Round Of 16 Exit

Cristiano Ronaldo Told To 'Apologise' For His Part In Juventus' Champions League Round Of 16 Exit

Cristiano Ronaldo turned his back in the wall and allowed Porto to score the decisive goal in extra time as Juventus were knocked out.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Cristiano Ronaldo has been told to apologise to Juventus fans for his role in the club's Champions League round of 16 exit.

For the second successive year, the Bianconeri have been eliminated at first knockout stage on away goals and Ronaldo was especially poor in both legs against Porto.

The Champions League's all-time top scorer failed to score but crucially he was also to blame for the goal that booked 10-man Porto's place into the quarter finals after he turned his back on Sergio Oliveira's free-kick.

The ball went straight through Ronaldo's legs and squeezed past Wojciech Szczęsny.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been criticised left, right and centre for turning his back in the wall.

The Italian media accused him of "betraying" Juve, Fabio Capello called it an "unforgivable mistake" and former striker Nicola Amoruso said Ronaldo "is afraid of receiving a ball in the face because he cares about his image".

Following up, Juve legend Alessio Tacchinardi believes Ronaldo needs to issue an apology after he elected to not speak to the media in the aftermath.

"He (Ronaldo) was rested in last weekend's game against Lazio, so what was he doing against Porto?" Tacchinardi told TWM Radio.

"Federico Chiesa went to talk on TV, but I would have expected Ronaldo to do so. He has to make an apology to the supporters."

Ronaldo's future in Turin is now up in the air, with reports claiming that his agent Jorge Mendes is in talks with Real Madrid over a sensational return.

It's said that Juventus would be looking for at least £24 million for the 36-year-old.

Although the former Manchester United man has scored 92 goals in 121 appearances and helped the team to back-to-back Serie A titles, the fact Juve haven't got past the Champions League quarter finals with him in the side has led to many feeling as though the £99 million move hasn't been worth it.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Former Juve chairman Giovanni Gigli believes signing him was an "expensive mistake" and the club should now get rid.

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."

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Topics: Football, Juventus, Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo