Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Juventus star has CHANGED since Real Madrid days - Marcello Lippi
CRISTIANO RONALDO has changed Juventus since signing from Real Madrid, according to former Old Lady manager Marcello Lippi.
Ronaldo turned his back on Real Madrid back in the summer, moving to Juventus in a £105million transfer that sent shockwaves reverberating around the footballing world.
That move, however, has appeared justified with the Portugal international scoring seven goals from 12 games to propel them to the Serie A summit.
And Lippi thinks the move has worked out well.
However, the Juventus boss also thinks they have signed a completely different Cristiano Ronaldo to the one who was blitzing goals galore three years ago for Madrid.
“Juventus signed him at the right time,” Lippi told Italian newspaper Courier Dello Sport.
"His impact is unbelievable.
“If the Bianconeri had signed him three years ago, he would've had a much less impact than now.”
Ronaldo is in contention to win the Ballon d’Or award.
His antics for Real Madrid - who he propelled to a third consecutive Champions League crown back in May - have made him among the frontrunners for the prize.
Ronaldo has now spoken out on his chances of Ballon d’Or glory.
And he has also revealed the rivals he expects to challenge him most for the accolade.
"Of course I want to win, this sixth Ballon d’Or,” he said.
“It would be a lie to tell you the opposite.
Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo wears Halloween mask
"The same as usual [could win it], even if I don’t know if Messi will be on the podium this time.
"So, let’s say Salah, Modric, Griezmann, Varane, Mbappe – the French in general because they are world champions.
"But I will wait and see if all these players are still at the top in 10 years, like Messi and I have done, and like we continue to do.
"Still there, on the podium, since more than 10 years."