Juventus fans targeted Juan Cuadrado on his return to the Allianz Stadium, but the Colombian didn’t deserve such a harsh reception from his former fans, given what we had achieved in Turin and the circumstances of his Inter transfer, writes Lorenzo Bettoni.
Cuadrado will remember Sunday’s meeting between Juventus and Inter for a long time. Perhaps, not even he could imagine such a hostile welcome from people who used to see him as a hero only a few months ago.
Most of the crowd at the Allianz Stadium started targeting the Colombian before kick-off and during the warmup ahead of his introduction as a substitute in the second half. That’s when boos and insults became really loud and intensified every time the Colombian touched the ball. It was legitimate, of course. There weren’t racist remarks and Juventus fans found the most obvious way to show their discontent towards the 35-year-old on their first meeting since his free transfer to Inter over the summer. The point is, did Cuadrado deserve it? To me, not at all.
A serial Scudetto winner in Turin, Cuadrado scored 26 goals in 314 appearances for Juventus, spending eight seasons at the Allianz Stadium. He didn’t only win titles, he did it as one of the standout performers, scoring crucial goals that changed Juventus’ fate in recent years. A late winner against Torino in 2015, was the beginning of a 15-game winning streak that brought Juventus from 11th placement in Serie A to the top of the table and an eventual fifth consecutive Scudetto.
The Colombian also scored a couple of decisive goals against Inter, one in 2017 and one in 2021 when he earned and converted a controversial penalty kick which helped Andrea Pirlo’s Juventus remain in the race for the top four and eventually reach their target in the final game of the season against Bologna. That late penalty had contributed to making him become a villain in the eyes of Inter supporters, who would raise eyebrows a couple of years later when Cuadrado signed for their club.
His transfer to the Stadio Meazza last summer was surprising, but it wasn’t to any extent a betrayal even if Inter remain Juventus’ most hated rival. The Old Lady had offered the 35-year-old a one-year contract with a substantial pay cut, more than 50%. The Colombian was on a €5m-a-year deal and the Bianconeri offered him a €2m-a-year contract, including add-ons.
He had clearly passed his prime and Juventus needed – and still need – to cut their wage bill, so that was the best offer they could make. Inter were not in the frame at that time as the Nerazzurri’s formal proposal would come only a month later.
Cuadrado didn’t push to leave Juventus, nor did he force a move to the Stadio Meazza. Simply, his time at the club was over and, weeks after his contract in Turin ended, he decided to remain in Italy and play for a Champions League club in Serie A rather than move to the Saudi Pro League and entirely change his life. Cuadrado didn’t betray Juventus. He always gave his best to the Old Lady, putting in maximum commitment until the very last day. He even averaged more than 39 appearances each season and his return to the Allianz Stadium could have been an opportunity to give him a tribute he deserved regardless of his new club.
Cuadrado received the same treatment as the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gianluca Zambrotta, Patrick Vieira and other ex-stars who had left Turin in 2006 after the Calciopoli scandal, with the team relegated to Serie B. They had abandoned a sinking ship, Cuadrado didn’t. He was done at Juventus and both parties were aware of it. He didn’t reach an agreement to extend his contract and only a month later, he listened and accepted Inter’s offer.
Based on his attitude before and after the game, Cuadrado has remained on good terms with many of his ex-teammates, Max Allegri’s staff members and people working behind the scenes at Juventus. He met and hugged many of them on the pitch after the final whistle and would have deserved a different reception in his old home after achieving so much for the Bianconeri.
@lorebetto
What was he supposed to do?. Not play and earn?. I am cerain he wouldn’t do it, unless that was hands down the best offer he had. Also likely that the family wanted to stay in Italy.
You have to understand that it is like a player moving between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Well said.
Sorry for that and no excuses Cuadrado is more than entitled to respect!
Yep he deserves respect from us. I felt sorry for him although he wears their colours.
Says alot, less humans left there more of animals.