A massive shockwave was sent through the football fratenity this summer after Real Madrid saw its all-time top goalscorer depart to join Juventus in the Serie A. Despite getting in the excess of 117 million pounds in transfer fees, the 33-year-old forward's move left a huge void at the club.
Following his departure, Cristiano Ronaldo declared that his decision to leave was motivated by his desire to seek a new adventure else and Juventus only happened to be the right destination. However, a new report emerging suggests that there was more to it than the household narrative. According to Spanish publication El Mundo, the beginning of Ronaldo's end at Real Madrid started in 2017.
The emergence of the tax fraud case which eventually resulted in the 33-year-old Portuguese being served with a two-year suspended jail sentence and a €18.8 million fine, compelled him to rethink his decision to stay in Spain. El Mundo revealed that back in 2017, a series of events unfolded after Ronaldo met his agent Jorge Mendes at his residence in May of 2017 in the presence of his advisors to discuss the way forward amid the tax probe.
"I said I didn't want any risks," Ronaldo reportedly told his advisors with reference to the legal issues that arose from the tax non-payments.
"I didn't study and the only thing I've done in my life is play football, but I'm not stupid and I don't trust anyone.
"That's why I always pay 30 percent more than is requested when I hire an assessor.
"It's because I don't want problems."
After meeting with the tax authorities some months later to agree on a settlement payment, Ronaldo lashed out on his advisors once again. "I never said not to pay taxes!" he exclaimed.
"I want to know what happened. "I don't understand anything, as the taxes should be paid by sponsors, so why do they accuse me?"
With the whole issue having been settled, the catalyst to facilitate his Real Madrid exit also emerged. After paying the tax authorities from his coffers, Ronaldo expected Real Madrid to give him an improved contract to supplement his financial loses.
As the club denied him the request, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner reportedly felt disrespected considering Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr were earning more than him at Barcelona and PSG respectively. Furthermore, Cristiano Ronaldo felt Real Madrid gave more importance to Alfredo Di Stefano as he's mostly discussed ahead of him.
This was apparently the final nail in the coffin for the Portuguese star who subsequently joined Juventus to continue his career despite initially expressing an interest in possibly retiring at Real Madrid.
