Portuguese football legend, Cristiano Ronaldo, on Tuesday, wrote an
open letter to Real Madrid fans to explain his decision to quit for
Juventus.
Juventus and Real Madrid agreed terms that will see the Portugal’s
all-time highest goalscorer, move to Turin in a deal worth a reported
£105 million.
The 33-year-old is expected to earn around £500,000 a week in Turin
after agreeing to join the Italian champions, when he ended is 9-year
stay with Real Madrid after scoring a record 450 goals in 438 games for
the La Liga sie.
Here is the full letter of what he said to Madrid fans after the European champions announced his departure;
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“These years in Real Madrid, and in this city of Madrid, have been possibly the happiest of my life.
“I only have feelings of enormous gratitude for this club, for
this hobby and for this city. I can only thank all of them for the love
and affection I have received.
“However, I believe that the time has come to open a new stage
in my life and that is why I have asked the club to accept transferring
me. I feel that way and I ask everyone, and especially our followers, to
please understand me.
“They have been absolutely wonderful for nine years. They have been nine unique years.
“It has been an exciting time for me, full of consideration but
also hard because Real Madrid is very demanding, but I know very well
that I will never forget that I have enjoyed football here in a unique
way.
“I have had fabulous team-mates on the field and in the
dressing room, I have felt the warmth of an incredible crowd and
together we have won three Champions Leagues in a row and four Champions
Leagues in five years.
“And with them also, on an individual level, I have the
satisfaction of having won four Golden Balls and three Golden Boots. All
during my time in this immense and extraordinary club.
“Real Madrid has conquered my heart, and that of my family, and
that is why more than ever I want to say thank you: thanks to the club,
the President, the directors, my colleagues, all the technicians,
doctors, physios and incredible workers that make everything work and
that are pending every detail tirelessly.
“Thank you infinitely once more to our fans and thanks also to
Spanish football. During these nine exciting years I have had great
players in front of me. My respect and my recognition for all of them.
“I have reflected a lot and I know that the time has come for a
new cycle. I’m leaving but this shirt, this shield and the Santiago
Bernabeu will continue to always feel as if my own wherever I am.
“Thanks to all and, of course, as I said that first time in our stadium nine years ago: Hala Madrid!”