6 Months After Demanding $20,000,000 ‘Secret Money’, Cristiano Ronaldo Hit With a $5.4 Million Setback From Italian Court

Cristiano Ronaldo had just won his fifth UEFA Champions League title. Real Madrid threepeated in the Champions League in 2018, with Ronaldo being their talisman. Madridistas were already dreaming of the next European trophy with the Portuguese at his peak. 

But it wasn’t meant to happen. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner shocked everyone by announcing his departure to Serie A giant Juventus. He made a move in a record-breaking deal for a player above 30. He stayed in Italy for three seasons. But it did not fulfill the aim with which Juventus brought him. He moved on. 

However, the Portuguese appealed to the Italian court over a tax refund. But the court ruling didn’t go in his favor.

Setback for Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portuguese spent three seasons with Juventus. During his time in Italy, Ronaldo kept paying the necessary taxes to the authorities. Meanwhile, along with his lawyers, he appealed for a refund of around $5.4 million in tax. According to his team’s lawyers, it was because of a wrong interpretation of what he owed to the State. 

They interpreted with respect to the Italian law that offers a few tax privileges to those who move to Italy against a certain income. The dispute was regarding image rights for activities carried out abroad. The experts in his team believed it concerns a rule of facilitated taxation that allows paying lump sum amounts of around $100,000 (which comes down to around $26,000 per family member) for those who move to Italy.

However, the agency rejected the appeal. It was the second time the agency dismissed the appeal. The reports suggest the dispute will move to the Supreme Court. It comes after six months when Ronaldo demanded $20 million from Juventus.

Does Juventus owe $20 million to Ronaldo?

The COVID pandemic hit all activities badly in 2019 and 2020. Soccer was no exception to it. Many top soccer clubs resorted to some financial measures to remain viable in the absence of fans in the stadium. As part of those measures, Juventus agreed with some players to take a pay cut.

READ MORE: “Knee’s F***”- Cristiano Ronaldo’s Former Teammate Suffers Bone-Cracking Injury Leaving Him in Crutches Despite Thundering Goal at Old Trafford

Cristiano Ronaldo was one of them. But as per La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ronaldo demanded $20 million recently despite taking a pay cut. According to the Italian outlet, there was a secret agreement between the player and the club. As per the agreement, Juventus would pay $20 million to CR7 for taking the pay cut. 

WATCH THIS STORY: Ten Times Cristiano Ronaldo Four Goals in a Game

How would you rate Cristiano Ronaldo’s stint with Juventus? Was it a sensible decision to leave Real Madrid?