Former Juventus president: Ronaldo was the 'wrong signing'

Former Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has advised the club to start a summer rebuild by offloading Cristiano Ronaldo and sporting director Fabio Paratici.

The Italian side was booted from the Champions League last-16 stage for a second straight season following Wednesday’s enthralling away-goal defeat to 10-man FC Porto. The elimination means Juventus’ 2018-19 quarterfinal exit against Ajax is their best performance in the competition since Ronaldo’s €100-million transfer from Real Madrid.

“Was CR7 the wrong signing? Absolutely yes,” Cobolli Gigli, who was Juventus president from 2006 until 2009, told Radio Punto Nuovo, as translated by ESPN’s Adriana Garcia.

“I said that on the very first day, (while) showing that I have respect for a great champion. But he is too expensive … it’s up to Juventus whether to sell Ronaldo or not, but he costs €1 million per goal. Juve president (Andrea) Agnelli must be self-critical, but he doesn’t have great collaborators,” he added.

Juventus’ struggles this season aren’t confined to continental action. The Bianconeri have won nine straight Scudettos but currently occupy third place in Serie A with 13 matches remaining, 10 points behind table-topping Inter Milan.

“Juventus has a need to rebuild. I would free Ronaldo but also Paratici,” Cobolli Gigli said.

However, head coach Andrea Pirlo still has a clear sight of silverware in his first campaign at the helm. Juventus take on Atalanta in the Coppa Italia final on May 19 after seeing off Genoa, SPAL, and Inter in the tournament’s later rounds.

Juve next face relegation-threatened Cagliari on Sunday.