Football

Cristiano Ronaldo refuses Juventus captain’s armband to give to Blaise Matuidi


Matuidi was touched by Ronaldo’s gesture (Picture: Getty)

Cristiano Ronaldo snubbed the Juventus armband out of respect for Blaise Matuidi, who has been at club longer than him.

Juventus ran out 3-1 winners at Udinese on Sunday, with Ronaldo putting in a superb individual display and grabbing two goals.

Club vice–captain Leonardo Bonucci was substituted with 15 minutes to play and Ronaldo was handed the skipper’s armband.

But the Portuguese superstar refused to accept the armband and called over Matuidi to take on the responsibility.

Matuidi has been at Juventus since 2017, while Ronaldo joined the Italian side a year later.

Ronaldo wrapped the armband around his team-mate and gave Matuidi a quick hug, before getting on with the game.

The goals against Udinese took Ronaldo’s Serie A tally to nine in just 13 appearances and takes his season’s total into double figures.

It is the 15th consecutive season Ronaldo has managed to post double figures as a goalscorer, a record in Europe’s top leagues.

Ronaldo refused the armband (Picture: Getty)

The victory also ensured Juventus would go level with Inter at the top of the Serie A table, although their rivals top the table due to goal difference.

‘The most important thing was to win, although we could’ve had more goals,’ Ronaldo said after the game.

‘I think this is a good way of playing and it’s important we must play with confidence. It’s not about individual performances, but how we work as a collective.’

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