Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis clarifies “I never said Cristiano Ronaldo was a flop”, and would like to cast the Juventus forward in a film.
The Partenopei owner gave an interview yesterday in which he complimented the Bianconeri for the signing, but also noted that CR7 is “of a certain age”.
“Some people distorted my words,” De Laurentiis said on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis clarifies “I never said Cristiano Ronaldo was a flop”, and would like to cast the Juventus forward in a film.
The Partenopei owner gave an interview yesterday in which he complimented the Bianconeri for the signing, but also noted that CR7 is “of a certain age”.
“Some people distorted my words,” De Laurentiis said on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.
“I never said Ronaldo was a flop, indeed I pointed out that the deal for Ronaldo was a great operation by [Juve President Andrea] Agnelli.
“He took someone who piques the interest not only of Juventini but all those who like Ronaldo.
“As a footballer he can’t be questioned, he could certainly make a film. He and [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic would make an amazing double act in a film.
“The only thing I questioned was whether the footballing return would be as big as the commercial return.
“He’s getting on in years, someone like [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic looked like he could play until he was 40 but he got an injury and went to play in America.”
De Laurentiis also engaged in his daily ‘true or false?’ session with the radio station, to address the latest transfer rumours.
“Does Matteo Darmian want a five-year contract? That could be true or false, it’s me who always asks a five year contract for the players I sign.
“Interest in Kévin Malcuit? True, he’s a very interesting profile we’ve been following for some time. There are six players that we’re following.
“We need to study them well, including their family history, their suitability for the Neapolitan atmosphere and how well they’ll fit with [Coach Carlo] Ancelotti’s tactics.
“There are very good profiles who don’t necessarily line up with what we want, because maybe they wouldn’t settle in Naples or have a particular family situation.
“Have we been offered Moise Kean? False, Raiola never called me.
“Sampdoria President Massimo Ferrero asked for Vlad Chiriches? False, he didn’t call me to ask for Chiriches.
“We talked, and maybe in one of these talks he might have mentioned Chiriches, but I told him that I need him.
“Do I ever tell lies to hide deals we’re working on? True!”