Cristiano Ronaldo beats Juventus in high court
According to the Daily Mail, which first reported the ruling through sports reporter Michael Pavitt, the case offers a rare glimpse into how elite football clubs managed player pay during the pandemic and where the legal limits now lie.
Court backs Ronaldo in appeal decision
An Italian labour court has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo is entitled to retain £8.5 million in wages owed by Juventus, following an appeal brought by the Serie A club.
Juventus had sought to challenge a previous arbitration ruling but were unsuccessful at the Turin Labour Court, where judge Gian Luca Robaldo upheld the earlier decision. The verdict means the club cannot recover the money already paid.
According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus had already factored the sum into their 2023,24 financial planning, reducing the immediate impact of the loss.
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Dispute rooted in pandemic pay deferrals
The case traces back to the height of the COVID 19 crisis, when Juventus players agreed to defer four months of salaries in March 2020 and April 2021 as the club faced severe financial pressure.
Ronaldo later claimed he was privately guaranteed the full value of his deferred pay, amounting to £17 million net. Juventus rejected that claim, arguing the agreement was never formally recognised by the club.
An arbitration panel ruled last year that responsibility was shared, ordering Juventus to pay half the amount. The latest court decision leaves that outcome unchanged.
Financial disclosures under scrutiny
Italian authorities have previously examined Juventus’ accounting practices, including the handling of so called salary manoeuvres linked to deferred player wages.
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According to earlier reporting by Italian media, those payments were not fully reflected in the club’s financial statements, forming part of broader investigations into Juventus’ pandemic era finances. The club has already faced sporting and administrative sanctions related to those issues.
Juventus may still explore further legal options, but Gazzetta dello Sport reports that no additional appeal has yet been formally lodged.
Ronaldo’s Juventus years in perspective
Ronaldo played for Juventus from 2018 to 2021 after arriving from Real Madrid, scoring 101 goals in 134 appearances.
During his time in Turin, he won two Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia before returning to Manchester United in a £12.8 million transfer.
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Now approaching his 41st birthday, Ronaldo continues his career with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
Sources: Daily Mail, Gazzetta dello Sport
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