Last night, Real Madrid started its 2018-19 LaLiga campaign off right with a win over Getafe. Goals from Gareth Bale and Dani Carvajal were enough to lift Juan Lopetegui’s side over the Azulones as they cruised to a comfortable victory.
The Cristiano Ronaldo Juventus debut ended with the expected three points — eventually.
The Bianconeri scored early, went behind in the second half and then needed a wild ending to see off Chievo 3-2 on Saturday in the opening match of Serie A.
Ronaldo made his debut for the Old Lady and was at the center of some late controversy before Federico Bernardeschi scored a stoppage time winner.
VAR and goal-line technology were both used in the closing minutes of the 90 with the match even at 2-2.
No one — we repeat, no one — is immune to initiation rites in soccer. Not a 40-year-old legend of the game and not even one of the best players of all time. Although after watching the Cristiano Ronaldo initiation song with Juventus, maybe these embarrassing displays need to stop — for the children.
Earlier this month, Gianluigi Buffon was seen belting out a glorious song for his PSG initiation rites. He earned a rousing ovation from his new teammates.
An annual friendly between the Juventus first team and the under-20 squad (that sounds rough) at the Agnelli family estate (the founders of FIAT motor company and owners of the club) saw Cristiano Ronaldo make his first appearance for the Old Lady. It took the Portuguese eight minutes to open his account after a ball over the top sent him through on goal.
The Juve U-20 keeper decided to stay on his line, and Ronaldo buried his effort inside the left post.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scorer in UEFA Champions League history, but he’s scored less goals in Serie A than Alexi Lalas. Yes, the former USMNT defender has played 44 more games in Italy’s top division (44 to 0), but I’m not gonna let that stop my narrative.
Serie A is home to the most nefarious and stifling defenses on the planet — it’s the birthplace of catenaccio and Fabio Cannavaro placing you inside his back pocket.
In a huge piece of investigative journalism, Madrid daily newspaper Marca reported the Cristiano Ronaldo Instagram account unfollowed Real Madrid on Friday. What a scoop!
More importantly, The18 can now confirm that Cristiano Ronaldo will not be back with Real Madrid this season, instead moving to Juventus. Because we all know a breakup isn’t official until social media accounts are unfollowed.
So, um, does any of this matter?
An Andrés Iniestra vs. Ronaldo duel may sound like a classic clash between two of LaLiga’s most historic figures.
But read carefully: It is not Barcelona’s Andrés Iniesta but rather Pumas UNAM Andrés Iniestra we are talking about.
Similarly, it is not Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo but Veracruz’s Ronaldo Prieto.
Fresh off his holiday in Greece following Portugal’s Round of 16 elimination at the hands of Uruguay, Cristiano Ronaldo has sauntered into Turin with fans baying for some “Siiuuu!” and a first Champions League crown since 1996.