When Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, it seemingly confirmed the calcio’s fall.
Left behind by the riches of the English Premier League and the talent within Spain’s La Liga, Serie A has retained its reputation for breeding talent to sell on but is no longer seen as a place that attracts the biggest and brightest stars in our footballing galaxy.
However, as the world has watched 32 countries battle down to the final four in Russia, Italy was not going to let itself be forgotten, instead the country would steal the headlines. Serie A was preparing a comeback.
Cue Cristiano Ronaldo and ensuing delirium.
Why Italy?
When the rumours of a possible deal were first leaked, few believed it to be true. Ronaldo was simply doing his usual summer dance with Real Madrid in a bid to receive more love, support and money from his employers.
Additionally, if he were ever to leave, surely it wouldn’t be to Italy?
Yet remarkably, Juventus – renowned for their ability to spot a bargain – have decided to go off script and make the most expensive Serie A signing in history.
Agent Jorge Mendes first implied a deal was possible when he met with the club over their £35.5m signing of his client Joao Cancelo from Valencia in June.
Moving heaven and earth financially, Juventus found a way to stump up over 105m euros (£93.01m) to Real Madrid to take the soon to be 34-year-old legend to Turin. Then, having agreed to pay the forward over 30m euros (£26.57m) a year in wages after tax (nearly 60m euros before deductions), the deal was struck.
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