One of the most shocking transfers of all time happened in the summer of 2018 when Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid to move to Italy and play for Juventus. After 9 seasons playing for Los Blancos where he had won 4 Champions League crowns, two La Liga titles, and 4 Ballon d’ or awards among numerous others, he finally called time on his career in Spain.
Here is what former Real president Ramon Calderon has said about Ronaldo’s surprise exit from the Spanish capital. Calderon served as president of Real Madrid from 2006-2009, a period where the club won two Spanish League titles and one Spanish super cup. He played a key role in the negotiations to bring Ronaldo to the Spanish capital back in 2009.
Speaking on Radio Villa Trinidad, Calderon claimed that the Portuguese’s exit from Madrid was down to two key factors.
“Cristiano asked for a raise after winning the Champions League and Florentino denied it. Cristiano also got angry because he heard that Madrid would be willing to pay a lot of money for Neymar. Florentino told him that if he brought in a cheque for €100m then he would let him go and that’s how it was.”
He further went on to blame Perez for the departure of Zidane in the same year. “Zidane left because he clearly knew what was going to happen. It is clear that Zidane asked Florentino Perez for something and that was not granted. One of those demands was that Cristiano never leave.”
Former Spanish national team coach Julen Lopetegui was handed the manager’s job at Real after Zidane’s departure. He lasted in the Madrid hotseat for only 14 matches before he was sacked and replaced with Santiago Solari.
Zidane returned to the club once again in March of 2019 citing his love for the club as his reason to once again manage them.
