Ronaldo could not elevate the league’s standing in a season that mirrored recent ones, including ugly events off the pitch
Not even an alien invasion could change the narrative for Italian football. Cristiano Ronaldo was hailed as an extra-terrestrial when he touched down in Turin, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner arriving in a country where no player had got close to the award since Kaká claimed it in 2007. The Portuguese forward was supposed to carry Juventus to European glory. Instead, they won an eighth consecutive Serie A title, and nothing more.
Ronaldo, for the most part, delivered. He did not hit those otherworldly heights of his best years in Madrid, but 28 goals and 10 assists are hardly a pittance. His hat-trick bailed the Bianconeri out after a catastrophic first leg against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League last-16, and he struck in both legs of the quarter-final defeat by Ajax.
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Fabio Quagliarella turns 36 today!
Just the 16 goals so far this season, including this absolute beauty pic.twitter.com/bS8rZGxice
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Take a bow, Nicolo Zaniolo
Chop back, dummy to sit defender and goalkeeper down, dinked finish over the pair of them...
Roma lead 3-0! pic.twitter.com/O06rYQAx0t
I tifosi della Spal ricordano il clamoroso errore di Destro l’anno scorso #SpalBologna pic.twitter.com/nDWDemviXE
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