Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will feature for his team, when the visit Udinese on Saturday. The 33yr Old Portuguese currently faces a rape scandal, but the Old Lady boss confirmed that he is fine.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is fine,” Allegri said. “Regarding the tribulations, he’s a lad I’ve known for three months. What I can say about him is that in his 15-year career, he’s always shown great professionalism both on and off the field. Calmness on and off the field”. “As far as on the field matters – he is ready to play”.
Ronaldo was not included in Portugal’s squad for the international friendlies but Allegri responded that the former Real Madrid attacker was aware.
“I knew he wouldn’t be called up by Portugal, he reached an agreement with the national team coach and president of his federation not to go”. “It is better for us because he will spend more time working with us. He is in a delicate moment but he has broad shoulders, he’s focused on taking to the field and doing well.”
Ronaldo’s scandal has been a source of concern to Sportswear maker Nike and video game maker Electronic Art which models for. Old Lady Stocks were also affected by the scandal as it fell on Friday.
“We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation,” Nike said in a statement to Reuters on Thursday.
Nike has worked with Ronaldo since 2003 and in 2016 announced a lifetime deal with him which could be worth as much as $1 billion, according to Forbes magazine.
Electronic Arts has featured Ronaldo on the cover of its EA Sports’ FIFA series for two years. An EA spokesperson said on Thursday it was also closely monitoring the situation.
“We expect cover athletes and ambassadors to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with the EA’s values,” the company said.
Kathryn Mayorga recently reopened the case in a district court in Clark County in Nevada alleging that he raped her in a Las Vegas hotel penthouse.
Ronaldo however have reiterated that his conscience was clear as he awaits the result of the investigation. “I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me. Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in,” Ronaldo wrote in a tweet to his 75 million followers.