Juventus' high-stakes gamble on Cristiano Ronaldo, intended to bring Champions League glory to Turin, has ultimately backfired, culminating in a recent court defeat for the Italian club. The saga, which began with Ronaldo's departure in 2021, has now seen the Portuguese superstar emerge victorious in a legal battle over unpaid wages, adding insult to injury for the Bianconeri.
The dispute stemmed from a period during the COVID-19 pandemic when Juventus, like many clubs, faced significant financial challenges. Agreements were made with players to defer salaries to ease the burden, but the details of these arrangements became a point of contention after Ronaldo's exit to Manchester United. Ronaldo argued that he was owed €19.6 million in outstanding wages, while Juventus claimed he had waived his right to the money as part of his transfer.
In 2023, Ronaldo initiated legal action, escalating the dispute to an arbitration panel. In April 2024, the panel ruled in favor of Ronaldo, ordering Juventus to pay him €9.8 million, approximately half of what he initially sought. The ruling questioned the legitimacy of Juventus' agreement with Ronaldo, particularly during a period when the club's financial management was under scrutiny. The club had already set aside funds in the 2023-24 financial statement in anticipation of this.
Unwilling to accept the decision, Juventus launched an appeal, seeking to recover the money already paid to Ronaldo. However, their efforts proved futile. A Turin labor court, presided over by Judge Gian Luca Robaldo, rejected Juventus' appeal, confirming that the club had no right to reclaim the funds from Ronaldo. Furthermore, Juventus was ordered to cover €80,000 in legal costs.
The court's decision marks a definitive victory for Ronaldo in this long-running saga. While Juventus may review the judgment for further legal challenges, the immediate outcome is a financial blow and a public relations setback for the club. The "Ronaldo gamble," as it has been dubbed, initially involved a substantial investment to bring the world-class player to Turin with the hope of Champions League success, a goal that ultimately eluded them. Now, years after his departure, the club is still dealing with the financial repercussions of that decision.
This legal defeat adds to Juventus' woes, who have been dealing with the fallout from the "Prisma" investigation and "Plusvalenza" case, related to capital gains and financial maneuvering during that period. The court's decision not only means Juventus cannot recover the €9.8 million already paid, but it also serves as a reminder of the financial strain and scrutiny the club has faced in recent years. For Cristiano Ronaldo, this ruling provides a sense of vindication and closes another chapter in his storied career, proving that even off the pitch, CR7 can still have the last laugh.
