Andrea Pirlo is adamant Cristiano Ronaldo remains a Juventus player amid the uncertainty surrounding the Portuguese star’s future. In the pre-match conference ahead of Juve’s trip to Bologna in the ultimate round of the 2020-21 campaign, the Italian manager insisted Cristiano’s future lies in Turin.
The Bianconeri have endured an utterly underwhelming season both in Europe and Italy. In addition to another premature Champions League exit, they have handed the Serie A crown over to Inter.
Furthermore, Juventus stare at the prospect of failing to qualify for Europe’s most prestigious club competition for the first time in a decade. Despite lifting the Coppa Italia trophy back on Wednesday, everyone at the Allianz Stadium would rather forget this season as quickly as possible.
Although the record-time Serie A champions would like to keep hold of Ronaldo beyond the summer, the possibility of missing out on Champions League football could throw a spanner in the works.
The Portuguese superstar has recently been linked with a blockbuster return to Manchester United, particularly in light of Juventus’ disappointing campaign.
However, Pirlo believes that Sunday’s trip to Bologna won’t be Ronaldo’s final match for the Bianconeri.
“No, I see him still in the Bianconeri jersey and focused,” Pirlo said, as quoted by France24.
“He proved it the other night, sacrificing himself because he wanted to win the Coppa Italia.
“I see him focused on tomorrow. Then there’s time to discuss the rest.“
Juventus’ nine-year Serie A tenure was ended by the Nerazzurri despite Ronaldo’s utmost efforts to lead his side to another domestic success. The 36-year-old has tallied 28 league goals this term and is on the cusp of winning his first Capocannoniere award in three years in Italy.
But in case Juve fail to reach the Champions League, it would derail their chances of sustaining the ex-Real Madrid talisman’s whopping €31million-a-year wages.