In the current day and age, the business aspect in football has certainly toppled the romantic side of the beautiful game. Yet, Juventus have been acting as a defiant fortress perhaps without even paying heed to the big picture.
In recent years, the Bianconeri paid tribute to club icons like Giorgio Chiellini, Claudio Marchisio and Gianluigi Buffon (twice). While the supporters loathed the idea of parting ways with these legends, the fact that the club still possessed these bandiere is a fact that is worth celebrating on its own.
While football had long entered the age of professionalism, Juventus still boasted a number of stars who were willing to stick by the Old Lady through thick and thin.
Unfortunately for Bianconeri fans, the old world that we still pretend to live in has reached its apocalypse, and Matthijs de Ligt’s transfer to Bayern Munich came to signal the dawn of a new era for the club, and perhaps for Calcio in general.
Now surely the Dutchman isn’t the first major star who decided to turn his back on Madama – the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Arturo Vidal and even Paul Pogba had all preceded him – but this departure served as a stern reminder on how modern football operates.
When Juventus signed de Ligt back in 2019, the Bianconeri fans hailed the then 19-year-old’s arrival, claiming that the club secured the long-term heir of Chiellini and Bonucci, believing to have found a defender who would marshal the black and white backline for the next decade or so.
Looking back at these statements, one would realize how delusional they were at the time, thinking that modern football still operates a la Del Piero, without realizing that one-club symbols have become a dying breed, and perhaps an outdated fashion.
The young defender’s departure is the third major exit at Juventus this summer, and all of them were sad events for the typical Bianconero fan, although for various reasons.
When Giorgio Chiellini bid the club farewell, it was a heartbreaking, yet, just outcome. The legendary captain had given his all for the club throughout 17 unforgettable years, and it was the right timing to call it a day.
As for Paulo Dybala, the fans were saddened to see their beloved talisman leave the club, as they were expecting La Joya to dwell in Turin for a longer period.
The Argentine couldn’t hold back the tears on his last hurrah at the Allianz Stadium and was overwhelmed with emotions. While it was a painful sight for Juventus supporters, it was at the same time comforting; It proved how much Juventus still meant for the departing star.
But in De Ligt’s case, there was none of it. Perhaps he did shed a tear or two in private, but we wouldn’t bet on it.
The Dutchman leaves the club after three years of service, jumping on the opportunity to play for a more established club, and one that is miles ahead of Juventus in terms of organization and the ability to compete for European glory.
Therefore, it’s hard to blame the player who opted for an exit, putting a swift end to his story at Juventus – one that never truly reached its climax and fails to evoke any sort of emotion.
And isn’t this the saddest type of endings?
At the end of the day, it’s time to admit that the age of great heroes is long gone, and for us Serie A fanatics who grew up watching the likes of Maldini, Totti and Zanetti, it’s now time to adjust to the “new” era.