TURIN. — Cristiano Ronaldo is “ready to return to action” for Juventus in today’s Italian Serie A soccer match against Udinese, boss Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed.
Ronaldo has been accused of rape by Kathryn Mayorga, who claims the Juventus forward assaulted her in Las Vegas in 2009. He has firmly denied the accusation.
The 33-year-old watched from the stands on Tuesday during Juventus’ 3-0 victory over Young Boys in the Champions League as he served a one-match ban for being sent off against Valencia in the previous round.
Despite the allegations facing Ronaldo, Allegri says the 33-year-old is “doing well”. “It is a delicate moment but he has large shoulders. I see him calm in training,” Allegri said.
“I’ve known Cristiano for three months now and for over 15 years of his career he has shown to be a great professional both on and off the pitch. He is ready to return to action tomorrow (today).”
Paulo Dybala – who scored a hat-trick – and Mario Mandzukic were paired together up front against Young Boys in Ronaldo’s absence, with Federico Bernarderschi deployed behind them.
Allegri says he is still considering his team selection for this weekend.
“Tomorrow I could go with a front three of Mandzukic, Dybala and Ronaldo, or one of them could be rested,” Allegri said.
Earlier this week, Ronaldo was left out of the Portugal squad for upcoming matches against Poland and Scotland.
He also missed Portugal’s first two post-World Cup matches last month, with coach Fernando Santos saying Ronaldo had only just moved to the Italian club and needed time to settle in.
Juventus have also issued a defiant statement in support of Ronaldo.
The Portuguese forward is facing a police investigation following an alleged incident in Las Vegas in 2009.
American model Mayorga has alleged that she was sexually assaulted by the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star during a holiday.
Ronaldo (33) issued a firm denial over the claim on social media on Thursday.
Juventus have now issued a statement insisting that they are fully behind Ronaldo as he fights against the claim.
Writing on Twitter, they said: “Cristiano Ronaldo has shown in recent months his great professionalism and dedication, which is appreciated by everyone at Juventus.
“The events allegedly dating back to almost 10 years ago do not change this opinion, which is shared by anyone who has come into contact with this great champion.” Ronaldo has been omitted from the Portugal squad for the upcoming internationals.
On the decision to leave out Ronaldo, manager Fernando Santos said: “In the future, nothing prevents Cristiano from giving his contribution to the national team.” The decision not to include him in the team came less than 24 hours before Ronaldo issued a statement of his own against the claim.
He wrote on Wednesday: “Keen as I may be to clear my name, I refuse to feed the media spectacle created by people seeking to promote themselves at my expense.
“My clear conscious (sic) will thereby allow me to await with tranquillity the results of any and all investigations.”
Ronaldo is being sued by Mayorga, who alleges he raped her in the penthouse suite of a Las Vegas hotel in 2009.
The Nevada woman alleges the former Manchester United forward then dispatched a team of “fixers” to obstruct the criminal investigation and trick her into keeping quiet for $375 000.
Ronaldo was also suspended for Juventus’ Champions League victory over Young Boys in midweek but should return for this weekend’s Serie A encounter with Udinese.
US sporting goods giant Nike said Thursday the company was “deeply concerned” by rape allegations surrounding star client Cristiano Ronaldo.
“We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation,” a Nike spokesman said.
Portugal and Juventus star Ronaldo, who has denied the allegations against him dating from an incident in 2009, signed a lifetime endorsement deal with Nike in 2016.
According to Forbes magazine, Ronaldo is one of only three athletes to have been given a lifetime deal with Nike, joining an elite club whose other members are NBA icons LeBron James and Michael Jordan. — AFP
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