Messi joining PSG makes no difference to Ronaldo's future, says Bonucci

By Sports Desk August 10, 2021

Lionel Messi's imminent switch to Paris Saint-Germain has not had an impact on Cristiano Ronaldo's future with Juventus, according to team-mate Leonardo Bonucci.

Six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi is expected to complete a move to PSG this week after bringing an end to his 21-year association with Barcelona.

French giants PSG have previously been linked with fellow superstar forward Ronaldo, who is now into the final 12 months of his contract with Juve.

With any path to the Parc des Princes now effectively being cut off by Messi's arrival, Ronaldo looks set to stay in Turin for at least the next year.

However, Bonucci insists the shock transfer involving Messi has had no bearing on where Ronaldo will play his football this coming season.

"I think that Cristiano would have stayed even if Messi had not gone to PSG," the Juve defender told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"For us, it's an added value and I'm sure that this year, more than in past years, he will help us reach all of our goals."

 

Since Ronaldo joined Juventus from Real Madrid in 2018, only Robert Lewandowski (103) has scored more goals in all competitions than the Portugal forward's 73 among players in Europe's top five leagues.

Ronaldo's 83 goal involvements over this period rank fourth behind Lewandowski (121), Messi (106) and Kylian Mbappe (97).

Despite Ronaldo enjoying another prolific season in front of goal, Juve finished fourth in Serie A in 2020-21.

And Bonucci, who played a starring role in Italy's Euro 2020 triumph, is aiming to win back the title from Inter when the new season begins in a little under two weeks' time.

"We want to bring the Scudetto back home, there is no point in hiding that," he said. 

"When you play for Juventus, that has to be the objective for the season, just like having a great Champions League campaign and fighting on all fronts.

"Personally, though, my goal is to continue my form from the Euros, where I played a major role, and do that again with Juventus."

Related items

  • 'Super simple' – Lille president rules out January exit for Jonathan David 'Super simple' – Lille president rules out January exit for Jonathan David

    Lille president Olivier Letang has categorically ruled out a January exit for forward Jonathan David amid links with a number of European clubs.

    David is out of contract at the end of the season and has been touted as a target for the likes of Bayern Munich, Juventus and Barcelona.

    Speaking this week, the Canada international named Barcelona as his "dream" club but suggested he would prefer not to leave Lille mid-season.

    And in an interview with After Foot RMC, Letang confirmed no bids have yet been tabled ahead of the January window.

    "We are not going to sell him in January, and we have not received any offer for him," he said.

    "Jonathan's situation is super simple. We are very happy to have him with us. 

    "Last season he had one more year left on his contract. We were trying to qualify for the Champions League. 

    "You have a guy who scores 20 to 25 goals a season. We had no obligation to sell him."

    David is into his fifth season with Lille and has scored 97 goals in 202 games for the Ligue 1 side in all competitions while assisting a further 18.

    Seven of those goals have arrived in 11 appearances this term, including in Champions League games against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Juventus.

    The 24-year-old's best league season with Lille saw him score 24 goals in 2022-23, while he has netted 19, 15 and 13 in the other full campaigns.

    Lille chief Letang reiterated that David has been offered a new deal to stay on at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, but selling him has never been an option.

    "He is a player who scores between 20 and 25 goals and helps us qualify for the Champions League," he said. 

    "Plus, Jonathan loves Lille, which is his club. Our position was very clear from the beginning – we think of the athlete. 

    "Obviously, he already has an offer that is in his hands, the ball is in his court."

  • Guardiola suggests Man City's recent form played part in signing new contract Guardiola suggests Man City's recent form played part in signing new contract

    Pep Guardiola suggested Manchester City's run of four successive defeats was part of the reason for his contract extension.

    The 53-year-old recently signed a two-year deal, which will run out in 2027, ending months of speculation about his future after his contract had been due to run out at the end of the campaign.

    Following a 2-1 defeat to Brighton before the international break, Guardiola's side have lost each of their last four matches in all competitions for the first time in his managerial career.

    "I felt I could not leave now. Maybe the four defeats was why," he told the club's website.

    "I think we deserve, after four defeats in a row, to bounce back and try to turn the situation. I think we deserve to be here. I am not arrogant to say, but it's the truth."

    Guardiola has led Manchester City to 18 major trophies during his nine-year stint at the club and posted a 72% win ratio.

    He added that he was determined to help the club get back to a state where they are "more stable and more consistent".

    "We have to recover that because right now we don't have it and that's the target we have to do," he said.

    City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak added: "Like every City fan, I am delighted that Pep's journey with Manchester City will continue, allowing his dedication, passion and innovative thinking to continue to shape the landscape of the game.

    "His hunger for improvement and success remains insatiable and the direct beneficiaries of that will continue to be our players and coaching staff, the culture of our club, and the English game at large."

  • Leicester's Fatawu ruled out for rest of season with ACL injury Leicester's Fatawu ruled out for rest of season with ACL injury

    Leicester City manager Steve Cooper confirmed Abdul Fatawu will miss the rest of the season.

    The 20-year-old sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) while playing for Ghana against Angola during the international break.

    Fatawu has featured in all 11 of Leicester's Premier League matches so far this season and has registered two assists.

    No Leicester player has attempted (61) or completed (29) more dribbles than him, while his 30 crosses is also a team-high in the top-flight this season.

    "It's not good, it's a serious injury," said Cooper ahead of their match against Chelsea on Saturday.

    "It's a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

    "Albeit, it can be quite common in sport, and in particular football, but it's still a serious injury.

    "For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

    "He's obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

    "It's only a pause, and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which, with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case."

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.