Cristiano Ronaldo transfer: Real Madrid reveal why they sold five-time Ballon d'Or winner to Juventus

The Spanish club have revealed why they chose to sell Ronaldo to Juventus

Real Madrid have revealed why they have sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus, in a statement published shortly after the 33-year-old completed his transfer to the Italian club.

Ronaldo joined Real Madrid from Manchester United in 2009 and has enjoyed an unprecedented period of success with the club.

However this summer Ronaldo “expressed his wishes” to quit the Bernabau, with Real seemingly left with little choice but to sell him.

“Real Madrid communicate that, adhering to the expressed wishes of the player Cristiano Ronaldo, it has agreed his transfer to Juventus,” the club said in a statement.

“Today Real Madrid would like to express its thanks to a player that has shown himself to be the best in the world and who has led one of the most brilliant eras in the history of our club and world football.

“Beyond the titles won, the trophies and the triumphs on the field of play in these nine years, Cristiano Ronaldo has been an example of hard work, responsibility, talent and achievement.

“He has become beyond that the greatest goalscorer in the history of Real Madrid with 451 goals in 438 games. In total 16 titles, among them four European Cups, three of those consecutive and four in the last five seasons.

“For Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo will always be one of the great idols and an example for future generations.

“Real Madrid will always be his home.”