Cristiano Ronaldo is leaving Real Madrid to join Italian club Juventus in a move expected to benefit the Portugal forwards tax return.
Juventus said Tuesday it paid 112 million euros ($131.5 million) for Ronaldo, who signed a four-year deal with the Serie A champions.
The move brings an end to a hugely successful nine-year spell in Spain, and takes him further away from a tax fraud case that may end up costing the Portugal forward more than $20 million in fines.
These years with Real Madrid and in this city of Madrid have been possibly the happiest of my life, Ronaldo wrote in an open letter. My only feeling is of an enormous gratitude for this club, for these fans and for this city. I can only thank them all for the love and affection I have received.
But I think the time has come to start a new phase in my life and that is why I have asked the club to accept my transfer. I feel that it is time, and I ask everyone, especially our fans, to please understand me.
Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2009 from Manchester United and was the Spanish clubs all-time leading scorer with 451 goals in 438 matches. He helped the club win four Champions League titles beating Juventus in the final in 2017 and also won the league and cup twice each.
He has scored a record 120 Champions League goals, 105 of them since moving to Madrid 12 more than Juventus managed in that same period.
But he was unhappy with the way the tax authorities treated him in Spain. Ronaldo, along with several other top players in the country, has been accused of tax fraud, with authorities saying the government was defrauded of 14.7 million euros ($17 million) from 2011-14. Unconfirmed media reports last month said Ronaldo had agreed to pay a fine of 18.8 million euros ($22 million).
In Italy, a new law caps tax on income generated from abroad at 100,000 euros ($117,000) per year for residents who have paid their taxes in other countries for at least nine of the last 10 years.
Other players targeted by Spanish tax authorities in recent years include Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano and Luka Modric. Former Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, now at Manchester United, was also investigated.
Ronaldo is currently on vacation in Greece following Portugals elimination from the World Cup. Juventus president Andrea Agnelli flew out Tuesday to meet the 33-year-old forward.
Real Madrid wants to express its gratitude to a player who has proven to be the best in the world and who has marked one of the greatest eras in the history of our club and of world soccer, Real Madrid said in a statement.
In addition to the titles he won, Cristiano Ronaldo has been an example of dedication, work, responsibility, talent and determination, Madrid added. For Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo will always be one of its greatest symbols and a unique reference for the next generations. Real Madrid will always be his home.
Ronaldo signed a five-year deal with Madrid in 2016, saying he wanted to end his career at the club. But he has also publicly expressed his discontentment about being jeered at times by some Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Ronaldo was also moved by the Juventus fans for giving him a standing ovation after he scored a spectacular goal against the Italian club at the Allianz Stadium in the Champions League quarterfinals last season.
I gave a lot of thought to this and I know that the time has come for a new era, Ronaldo said. Im leaving, but this jersey, this shield and the Santiago Bernabeu will always feel as something that is mine wherever I go.
