This coach no longer wanted Cristiano Ronaldo in his team! | OneFootball

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This coach would have preferred to do without Cristiano Ronaldo!

This coach no longer wanted Cristiano Ronaldo in his team!

Wherever he goes, Cristiano Ronaldo leaves an indelible mark. His goal-scoring records, countless trophies, and influence across generations make him one of the greatest players in history. Yet, even a legend of his stature doesn't always win unanimous support. One of his former coaches recently shared a surprising anecdote about Ronaldo's time at Juventus, revealing that he wasn't entirely convinced by the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

During the 2020-2021 season, Andrea Pirlo, then coach of the Bianconeri, reportedly struggled to fully integrate CR7 into his tactical setup. According to Alparslan Erdem, a former member of Pirlo’s coaching staff, Pirlo wanted to implement an aggressive, high-pressing style—a philosophy incompatible with the Portuguese star’s profile.

Morata preferred for tactical reasons

This situation even led Pirlo to favor Álvaro Morata, who was seen as a better fit for his tactical requirements.

added Erdem, highlighting just how much Ronaldo’s superstar status limited the Italian coach’s options.

Despite scoring over 100 goals in Juventus colors, CR7 didn’t manage to fully convince all of his coaches. It’s further proof that even the greatest champions can run up against the demands of modern tactics, where the team sometimes takes precedence over individual brilliance.