In case you hadn’t noticed, Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Juventus.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner left Real Madrid for Serie A in an initial €100-million deal last week that shook football, despite the distraction of the 2018 World Cup.
On Monday, Juve sporting director Fabio Paratici explained the wheels of the blockbuster transfer were set in motion by Ronaldo’s stunning bicycle kick at the home of the Italian champion in the Champions League quarter-final.
Paratici asserts the 33-year-old was so enamoured with the generous reaction of the Turin crowd that he was immediately attracted to a potential future with the Bianconeri.
“The crazy idea was born after the first match here, when Cristiano received the standing ovation after his bicycle kick,” Paratici said, as quoted by Gianluca Di Marzio. “During the week, we heard from his agent (Jorge Mendes), he told me that Cristiano was struck by all the attention he received. He said ‘he would like to come and play for Juventus one day.’ I told him, there are many dreams but few come true.”
Though it may still be scarcely believable to many, that dream is now a reality.
Ronaldo will play in Italy for the first time in his career next season in front of a fan base which, if the reaction at Juventus Stadium back in April is anything to go by, already fully appreciates his talents.
What would a lineup of under-25 NFL all-stars look like? Glad you asked. We polled 43 of our NFL insiders — reporters, analysts, former players — to find out which players under age 25 will be the best at each position over the next three seasons.
The results included four Saints (the most of any team), three players drafted in April and nine players age 22 or younger.
ESPN Insider Field Yates wrote the analysis of each selection.
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans
Percentage of vote: 65.1
Few quarterbacks have galvanized a franchise as expediently as Watson did the Texans in 2017. Watson, 22, has exceptional football IQ and character to lead teammates paired with unique arm talent (particularly in the vertical passing game) and dynamic athletic ability.
Which NFL teams have the most complete rosters? Pro Football Focus ranks them all from top to bottom.
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Regardless of what Gurley’s timed speed is — and you know he’s fast — his functional play speed is even better. A step for Gurley, 23, in the open field usually means six points. With outstanding receiving skills and a diverse list of open-field maneuvers, he’s a true dual-threat back.
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Percentage of vote: 46.5
A projection for the 21-year-old Barkley based off a sterling career at Penn State, the Giants are hopeful that a skill set highlighted by an abundance of power, soft hands in the passing game and uncommon return skills will yield immediate returns. His polish on and off the field boosted his case as a can’t-miss draft prospect.
Runner-up: Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
Wide receivers
Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings
Percentage of vote: 53.5
Diggs, 24, has shown the ability to dominate in different ways at the NFL level. He excelled as a vertical threat as a rookie, chewed up catches in a volume role as a sophomore and took another step in his third season. When the ball is in the air, Diggs is a good bet to win in man-to-man coverage.
Tyreek Hill has scored touchdowns by rushing, receiving, kick return and punt return over the past two seasons. Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire
Hill has made his mark already as a speed threat in the NFL. It’s not hyperbole to suggest the 24-year-old is the fastest player in the league, routinely impacting the game as a receiver, runner and returner. Hill has a compact frame but plays with some power, too.
The reality of some NFL offenses is that tight ends are asked to serve frequently in a detached alignment, working in a slot role that requires immense athletic skills. Engram, 23, is in some ways a jumbo wide receiver, firmly cementing his spot as a bright spot in the Giants’ offense as a rookie.
Runner-up: Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers
Offensive tackles
Jack Conklin, Tennessee Titans
Percentage of vote: 72.1
While some still believe that the value of a left tackle surpasses that of a right tackle, Conklin’s immediate emergence on the right side for Tennessee proves it’s a position of massive influence. Powerful and technically sound, the 23-year-old is currently recovering from a knee injury.
Ryan Ramczyk, New Orleans Saints
Percentage of vote: 51.2 percent
During a time when NFL teams are finding the challenge of identifying ready-made offensive linemen more difficult, Ramczyk, 24, stepped into a starting role right away. He played every snap in 2017 and handled multiple positions.
Runner-up: Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens
Guards
Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts
Percentage of vote: 93 percent
Nelson was a near-unanimous pick, a reflection of his pedigree coming out of Notre Dame. The 22-year-old plays with a blend of nasty and surgical attention to detail. Indy hopes he’ll set the tone for the line for a decade.
Quenton Nelson hasn’t played a down in the NFL, but he was a near-unanimous selection for our under-25 team. Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire
The 24-year-old Peat is a dancing bear, an impressive athlete for a player of his size with positional versatility.
Runner-up: Will Hernandez, New York Giants
Center
Pat Elflein, Minnesota Vikings
Percentage of vote: 60.5 percent
The center position involves more than just meets the eye; Elflein, 24, absorbs great responsibility pre-snap in getting the offensive line in sync. His acclimation to the pro game from his college days was an expedient one.
Runner-up: Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions
Interior linemen
Sheldon Rankins, New Orleans Saints
Percentage of vote: 53.5 percent
Rankins, 24, is unique in this sense: He’s an immovable object in the middle of the Saints’ defense that makes the group decidedly better against the run, while also adding value as an intention rusher.
Leonard Williams, New York Jets
Percentage of vote: 74.4 percent
Williams’ length stands out, as the long-levered and versatile 24-year-old defender makes it hard for an offensive lineman to stay engaged. His value will transcend his statistics, but those are already quite impressive.
Runner-up: Jonathan Allen, Washington
Pass-rushers
Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers
Percentage of vote: 93 percent
Bosa, 23, drew pre-draft comparisons to J.J. Watt, an almost unfair parallel for any player to face. And yet, he has been a dominant force with some shades of Watt in terms of next-level power and acceleration.
Myles Garrett had seven sacks in 11 games played during his rookie season. AP Photo/David Richard
Garrett was a bit limited by injuries as a rookie but made his mark all the same. He may have been the best talent on the Browns’ roster last season when the team went 0-16. Much more impressively, the 22-year-old may still be the most talented player on an improved roster.
T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
Percentage of vote: 51.2 percent
The younger Watt, 23, is a terrific athlete and has the reactive skills to be a factor in coverage. Oh, did we mention he’s already an immense force as a rusher for a defense that led the NFL in sacks last year?
Runner-up: Yannick Ngakoue, Jacksonville Jaguars
Linebackers
Myles Jack, Jacksonville Jaguars
Percentage of vote: 74.4 percent
In a league where offenses stress a defense every inch of the field horizontally, Jack’s athletic tools stand out. The 22-year-old has already established himself as a ferocious tackler, cooling any concerns over a serious college knee injury.
Deion Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Percentage of vote: 60.5 percent
Jones, 23, carries a rep as one of the game’s best coverage linebackers already. He runs like an oversized defensive back while also setting the tone as a hitter. He’s the quarterback of Atlanta’s defense.
Reuben Foster, San Francisco 49ers
Percentage of vote: 32.6 percent
Foster’s NFL career is young, but what already stood out was his feel for finding the football. The 24-year-old must stay healthy and will serve a two-game suspension to begin the season, but he could emerge as San Francisco’s best defensive player.
Runner-up: Kwon Alexander, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cornerbacks
Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints
Percentage of vote: 60.5 percent
Lattimore’s ability to play on an island is reflective of his confidence, reactive athletic ability and ball skills. It’s hard to quantify how much mental toughness impacts defensive back play; the 22-year-old Lattimore has a ton of it.
Marshon Lattimore was named 2017 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
No player earned a higher percentage of votes in this exercise than the 23-year-old Ramsey. The question may not be whether he’s one of the best players under 25, but rather whether he’s on track to becoming the league’s best defensive player.
Runner-up: Tre’Davious White, Buffalo Bills
Safeties
Landon Collins, New York Giants
Percentage of vote: 67.4 percent
Collins, 24, almost immediately emerged into a leadership role for the Giants. He’s a check-the-box safety, with the ability to do almost any task asked of him. He’ll make you remember his hits too, with excellent playing strength.
Jamal Adams, New York Jets
Percentage of vote: 65.1 percent
Adams oozes confidence with good reason. His pattern recognition and proactive athletic skills will align with a bucket of interceptions in time, while he’s also a player ready to run the alley as a box defender. The 22-year-old can hang in coverage versus tight ends.
Runner-up: Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers
Kicker
Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs
Percentage of vote: 55.8 percent
Butker, 22, had a historic season, as his 38 field goals for the Chiefs in 2017 were the most by a rookie in league annals. He has a cannon for a leg, nailing 38 of 42 attempts, connecting on all of his extra points and booming 78.2 percent of his kickoffs for a touchback.
It’s rare to see a specialist win the MVP of a bowl game for a major college program, be selected a unanimous All-American, forego his final college season or earn a fifth-round NFL selection. Dickson, the Seahawks’ 22-year-old fifth-rounder in 2018, did them all. They hope for him to become a major weapon.
Cristiano Ronaldo actually did it. After plenty of speculation, Real Madrid’s all-time leading scorer made the unlikely switch to Juventus on Tuesday, joining the Italian giant for a reported €100-million fee.
Related: Real Madrid confirms Ronaldo’s sensational transfer to Juventus
Twitter, naturally, had plenty to say about the move:
Terribly disappointing if the Ronaldo to Juve deal is made official today. Thought a man of his ambition would try to upstage the World Cup final rather than just settle for the semis.
— Paolo Bandini (@Paolo_Bandini) July 10, 2018
May 2018: Gianluigi Buffon leaves Juventus without a Champions League title
July 2018: Cristiano Ronaldo joins Juventus
Gianluigi Buffon: pic.twitter.com/z2q4afLmvq
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 10, 2018
??Make Serie A fabulous again ??
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) July 10, 2018
We already knew, but today the entire World will get to know:
Giuseppe Marotta. The Godfather of the Mercato. pic.twitter.com/FGfnvGsF6n
— Tarek Khatib (@ADP1113) July 10, 2018
This feels like a “can’t beat em, join em” crack at the Champions League from Juventus, and what the hell, it’s only a hundred million, why not? ?
— James Yorke (@jair1970) July 10, 2018
Ronaldo fans be like ? pic.twitter.com/9OP21jnoPN
— ItalianFootballTV (@IFTVofficial) July 10, 2018
#RonaldoAllaJuve pic.twitter.com/o2A5AVokI7
— UnderTheCosh ?? (@under_thecosh) July 10, 2018
First Me now @Cristiano ???? @SerieA_TIM is gonna be ??? ???
— Kevin-Prince Boateng (@KPBofficial) July 10, 2018
So Juventus have now signed the two best forwards of all time with Ian in their first name
— Tom Victor (@tomvictor) July 10, 2018
.@Cristiano, your goals, your numbers and everything we’ve won together speak for themselves. You have earned a special place in the history of @RealMadrid. As Madridistas we’ll remember you always. It’s been a pleasure to play alongside you, bicho. Big hig and good luck! ??? pic.twitter.com/NaywaDd3gw
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is taking the optimistic approach to Le’Veon Bell’s franchise tag negotiations.
Appearing at the Hampton Roads Youth Foundation football camp over the weekend, Tomlin told WAVY Channel 10 that he would like the Steelers to sign Bell to a long-term contract before Monday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.
“Obviously we want to get a deal done, he wants to get a deal done; everybody has said that,” said Tomlin, who returns to his hometown of Hampton, Virginia, every summer for the camp. “Now it’s just about the negotiators getting into a room and doing what it is they need to do. I’m excited and hopeful. Hopefully we’ll have some exciting news before Monday.”
Tomlin expressed similar optimism before last year’s deadline, when the Steelers failed to sign Bell and didn’t see him until training camp ended. Bell signed his $12.12 million tag on Sept. 4.
As the Steelers and Bell are pressed against the deadline for the second straight year, the running back is prepared to play on this year’s tag — worth $14.5 million — in the absence of what he considers a fair deal.
Bell told ESPN this offseason that he won’t sign an extension offer worth less than the tag number on an annual basis. Talks stalled in the spring after Bell turned down an offer, but both sides reopened negotiations over the past week.
Coach Mike Tomlin believes a long-term contract could be reached between the Steelers and running back Le’Veon Bell in the final hours. David J. Phillip/AP Photo
Bell started slowly in 2017 but finished with 1,291 rushing yards on 321 carries, 655 receiving yards on 85 catches and 11 total touchdowns. The performance earned him All-Pro status, and his 7,996 career scrimmage yards are the most since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger for a player’s first five seasons.
The Steelers report to St. Vincent College for training camp on July 25. Teammates are used to life without Bell — who has used boxing and a vegan diet this offseason to stay in shape — holding off from most football exercises to keep his knee fresh.
Jack Conklin, Tennessee Titans
