Cristiano Ronaldo reveals he thought about retiring when he was playing for Juventus ‘if Leo Messi had won the Ballon d’Or.’

French journalist Thierry Marchand has published a biography of the ex-Juventus forward featuring nine exclusive interviews with the Portugal superstar who is preparing for his fifth World Cup.

In one of those interviews, Ronaldo discussed his time at Juventus and, of course, his rivalry with Leo Messi.

“It’s so easy to stay in your bubble when you’re successful, not to leave your comfort zone,” he said.

“I dared to come to Turin, to change club, league, football culture. I put myself in danger. I took this risk which I am sure caused me to lose the Ballon d’Or.

“I don’t regret anything, but [I thought that] if Messi wins the Ballon d’Or this year [2018], I’ll quit football!’

Ronaldo had won his fifth Champions League at Real Madrid before his move to Juventus in 2018 and was one of the leading candidates for the Ballon d’Or that year.

However, his former teammate Luka Modric was eventually named the best player in the World for 2018, with Ronaldo finishing second.

Leo Messi has won the Ballon d’Or twice since, first in 2019 and then in 2021. The Argentinean star won the award seven times, against Ronaldo’s five.

Ronaldo scored 101 goals in 134 games with Juventus, winning two Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia and two Supercups.

7 thought on “Cristiano Ronaldo reveals why he thought about retiring at Juventus”
  1. Glad he didn’t retire. Wouldn’t want to have been deprived of the feelings I got when he tried to take his talents elsewhere (yet again) after his United homecoming. Somethings are priceless.

  2. messi will show magic in opening match against saudi, all world will be amazed. Thats all 😉 And Ronaldo will show who is best ever, its conclusion, soon.

  3. “I dared to come to Turin, to change club, league, football culture”

    Come on man, show some humility. Sure, you have five ballon d’ors. But changing the football culture in Italy? That’s a bit too much.

  4. Messi will win the worldcup and put an end to this “who is better” debate.

    He is the best in history.

    Forza messi … Forza allegri

  5. Messi is coward always want to play in dream team and have protection from ronaldo, this argentina squad is way to weak for him to win something 🙂

  6. To forza moggi: you better watsch first game against saudi arabia and than think that he won world cup, think in your head and thats will be enough, wonderful player only against half profesional teams… When can play 90minutes inside opponents box, other way there is nothing 🙂

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