Juventus vs. Milan: 3 takeaways from the worst loss of the season

Cristiano Ronaldo has no reason to stay now

There was optimism that having a legend like Andrea Pirlo to work with Cristiano Ronaldo and new ideas with young talent like Federico Chiesa would help convince the No. 7 of the success of the Juventus project. But with another poor performance in the Champions League and a disastrous Serie A campaign, Ronaldo will likely want out after being patient this season.

It must be infuriating for a legendary player who hold himself to the highest possible standard to play on a team so bereft of coherency and creativity. The midfielders meant to support Ronaldo and provide him chances are reaching nadirs of such incompetence that I can scarcely believe I am watching a Juventus game when I see Rodrigo Bentancur misplace passes and Adrien Rabiot pass the ball behind him on a counterattack.

Juve have failed to earn Ronaldo’s trust now. With how poorly they have constructed the team around the player they purchase for 100 million euros, I would not blame the Portuguese international for any bitterness.

He is a professional who will play hard until the last game, but after that, he surely has no intention of sticking around when Juve are either headed for the Europa League or a “miracle” Champions League qualification that only amounts to another early knockout exit next season.

Maybe it is better for everyone if Ronaldo goes. Most definitely, it is better for Ronaldo to seek a greener pasture than one that is barren and crusted by upper management’s gross incompetence.