Cristiano Ronaldo Finally Explains Why He Choose to Join Juventus

After a stellar career at Juventus and nine trophy‑filled years at Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken openly about the reasons behind his decision to move to Italy in the summer of 2018. Rather than simply focusing on rumours or speculation, the Portuguese superstar shared what actually made him commit to Juventus — and it wasn’t just about money.

When Ronaldo completed his blockbuster move from Real Madrid to Juventus in July 2018, it sent shockwaves through the football world. His transfer fee — around €100 million — was one of the biggest deals in sport that summer, but the motivation behind his choice went deeper than finances.

In his first interview as a Juventus player, Ronaldo explained that he had been attracted to the club for years. He said Juventus was “one of the biggest and most respected teams in world football,” and that from his childhood he had always admired the club’s history and success.

“It’s a great club. Since I was a kid, I always hoped I could play here one day,” he explained, noting that Juventus’ track record in domestic and European football made the choice an easy and natural step in his career.

One of the most‑repeated stories around his decision was the role played by an unforgettable goal. During a UEFA Champions League clash with Juventus while still a Real Madrid player, Ronaldo scored a spectacular overhead kick that earned him widespread applause from the home crowd. That gesture stuck with him.

However, Ronaldo emphasised that this was not the sole reason for his decision. He described the applause as an incredible moment — “something I had never experienced before” — but made it clear it was just one of many factors that made him feel welcomed by the club’s supporters and made him think seriously about his future career path.

Ronaldo also highlighted that his move to Juventus represented a new challenge after almost a decade in Spain. At Real Madrid, he had already achieved almost every honour possible: multiple Champions League titles, domestic championships, and individual awards. Yet, he said he wanted something new — a fresh stage where he could continue to test and prove himself at the highest level of the game.

“I didn’t see it as stepping down or sideways,” he said in an interview. To him, joining Juventus was a step forward — not just because of the club’s stature, but because of the confidence it showed in him as a player who could help elevate the team even further.

Despite the inevitable attention around transfer money, Ronaldo was clear that financial incentives were not the main driving force behind his choice. In interviews at the time, he stressed that if money had been the priority, he could have joined a club in countries like China or the Middle East — where offers were reportedly lucrative — but he didn’t want that. Instead, he chose Juventus because of its competitive ambition and passion for winning.

He made it clear that sporting reasons — such as the club’s domestic dominance and repeated deep runs in European competitions — were far more significant than any financial considerations.

Ronaldo’s transfer to Juventus was more than just a switch of jerseys — it was a symbolic moment in modern football. It marked the end of one legendary chapter at Real Madrid and the beginning of a new era in Serie A, where Ronaldo aimed to leave his mark on Italian football just as he had done in Spain and Manchester United before that.

By explaining his thinking, Ronaldo gave fans a look behind the scenes of elite‑level decision‑making: a mix of career ambition, club admiration, and respect for a team’s culture — not simply financial gain.