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‘Real Madrid takes the most out of you’: Cristiano Ronaldo pens parting letter after Juventus move
Cristiano Ronaldo implied that leaving the Spanish club for Italian champions Juventus was his decision, but was lavish in his praise for the club with which he won four Champions Leagues.
“I think that the moment has arrived to start a new chapter in my life and therefore I have asked the club to accept letting me leave. I am sorry it is like this and I ask all of you, especially our followers, to please understand me,” wrote the Portuguese forward in Marca newspaper.
"These have been nine absolutely marvelous years. These have been nine unique years. It has been an emotional time for me, full of consideration because Real Madrid takes the most out of you but I know very well that I won't be able to ever forget that here I've enjoyed football in a completely unique way.”
While praising everyone in the club from the president to the technical staff, Cristiano didn’t for go to mention his glittering mantelpiece, talking of the “individual satisfaction of having won four Ballon d'Or and three Golden Boots.”
READ MORE: ‘It’s been a pleasure, bicho!’ Sergio Ramos leads tributes to outgoing Ronaldo
Ronaldo arrived at Real Madrid 9 years ago, for a record-breaking amount, and leaves it 451 goals later at the age of 33 for €120 million, the third-highest transfer fee in history, and by far the most paid for a player in his thirties.