Ronaldo: All you need to know about Man Utd-linked star
Former Juventus club president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has declared that Cristiano Ronaldo should leave the club as soon as possible, suggesting that his arrival back in 2018 was a 'mistake'. The mercurial 34-year-old has been linked with a shock move away from the Old Lady as the summer transfer window draws to a close, with a number of clubs believed to be keeping tabs on the situation.
Ronaldo was benched for Juventus' draw with Udinese on Sunday after reportedly asking to be left out of the starting side.
The request came amid suggestions that he is unhappy with life in Turin and seeking a new challenge ahead of this month's transfer deadline.
He was eventually introduced as a substitute and thought he had scored a last-gasp winner, but the goal was promptly ruled out by a controversial offside decision.
The Portuguese star was then booked for taking his shirt off in celebration, capping off a forgettable evening for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Juventus are yet to receive any bids for Ronaldo, but the uncertainty around his future has cast an unwelcome shadow over their preparations for the campaign ahead.
Ronaldo has been linked with a shock Juventus exit (Image: GETTY)
Gigli, who served as the president of Juventus between 2006 and 2009, has since launched an attack on the club's decision to splash £88m on the forward's signature three years ago.
"I was always sincere, signing Ronaldo was a mistake," said Gigli during an interview with SerieANews.com.
"It was impossible to recover the investment and he is a great footballer, but I have to be honest. The sooner he leaves, the better for him and for Juve."
It seems unlikely that Ronaldo will be allowed to depart at this late stage of the transfer window, with just seven days left for clubs to do business.
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Gigli went on to predict that he will end up staying at Juventus for at least another season, with the 76-year-old urging boss Max Allegri to exercise caution in the way his skills are utilised.
"Allegri knows how to use him intelligently, throughout the game, as in Udinese," added Gigli.
"The forward line works very well together when he is not there, and the Portuguese can be decisive from the bench."
Allegri recently insisted that it was his decision to start Ronaldo from the bench against Udinese, with the Juventus boss revealing that his star man was not injured or unfit.