Juventus head coach Max Allegri has admitted that he was pleased with the performance of Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2-0 triumph over Udinese on Saturday. The Portugal international has been going through a tough time personally after being alleged of rape for an incident nearly a decade ago but he has not allowed that to affect his performance on the playing field.

Ronaldo missed the midweek Champions League game against Young Boys through suspension but he made his comeback during the weekend game against Udinese where he scored off a powerful strike from an acute angle. Following the match, Allegri stressed that he is not concerned with what happens outside of the pitch but highlighted the importance of the Portuguese’s contribution.

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has suggested that teammate Eden Hazard is a better footballer than Cristiano Ronaldo and considers the Belgian to be only behind Lionel Messi in terms of all-round pedigree. The Blues attacker had a strong World Cup with Belgium who managed to secure the bronze medal position and he has since started the new season on a bright note, contributing towards five goals from as many games for club and country.

Speaking after Germany’s Nations League opener versus France, Rudiger was impressed with the drive from Kylian Mbappe over the course of the game but he still placed Hazard above the Frenchman and Ronaldo in terms of the all-round play, he said: “Mbappe is unbelievably fast, really good. To stop him, you have to do it as a team, because alone ... good luck! But for me, the best in the world is Messi, then Hazard. To be honest, I'm surprised how well we've done because players like Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante had big World Cups and came back late for training. They are in good shape and that's impressive.”

Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford after all this season as Juventus were drawn in the same Champions League group as Manchester United. There were many whispers over the summer that Ronaldo would head back to Manchester United after leaving in 2009 but it wasn't to be as the Portuguese superstar opted for a move to Turin and the Old Lady.

Ronaldo’s move to Juventus will now officially pour cold water on the rumours that he would one day make a sensational return to the club where, in many ways, it all started for him.

Juventus manager Max Allegri has admitted that he is pleased with the performance of Cristiano Ronaldo during his maiden game for the Rossoneri. The Portuguese superstar joined the Turin giants from Real Madrid earlier in the summer but he took no part during their pre-season tour after being offered an extended break for his World Cup exploits.

In the season opener against Chievo, Ronaldo was pretty active in the frontline where he managed to have eight shots on goal but unfortunately, he could not find the scoresheet with goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino in fine form. Speaking after the game, Allegri spoke positively regarding the Portuguese’s showing and believes the attacker should only improve in the coming games.

Juventus’ record signing Cristiano Ronaldo is looking forward to playing alongside Mehdi Benatia during the upcoming season. The Portugal international made the surprise switch to the Bianconeri from Real Madrid earlier this month and he has since been offered an extended break after his World Cup exploits.

Despite this, Ronaldo has found time to interact with the media and in a report covered by BBC Sport, the Portuguese has praised Benatia as an ‘outstanding player’ after the two tussled it out at the World Cup where the latter was representing Morocco, he said: “We fought hard and he’s a great defender. We had some clashes during the World Cup but that’s part of the game. It will be interesting to play for the same club and have him as a team-mate. He’s an outstanding player.”

Juventus’ summer signing Joao Cancelo has hailed the winning mentality of Portuguese compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo after he decided to make the move to Turin. The 33-year-old ended his nine-year association with Real Madrid earlier this week after the Bianconeri finalised a deal worth £99m with the European champions.

Since then, there has been plenty of excitement around the club regarding the Portuguese and speaking in a news conference, Cancelo has revealed his delight of working alongside Ronaldo at the Serie A champions, he said:"It's an enormous pleasure for me and all footballers to play with a great champion like Cristiano Ronaldo. I'm sure he's going to raise the overall quality of the team and he'll help us to keep winning. He has a winning mentality and has won a lot in his career. At the same time, Juventus have claimed seven straight Scudetto titles, so I hope they will make a perfect match."

Portugal head coach Fernando Santos has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo’s captaincy skills ahead of the country’s opening World Cup game against Spain. The Portuguese suffered a shock group-stage exit at the 2014 World Cup but they have since progressed efficiently under Santos, who guided them to a shock Euro 2016 final triumph over hosts France.

Speaking ahead of the Spain game, Santos praised the leadership qualities of Ronaldo, who recently acquired his 150th cap with the national team, he said: “Cristiano [Ronaldo] is an extraordinary captain. You know... what kind of player he is. He has a strong positive influence on the team, both on and off the pitch. He plays a certain role, I play a certain role, but the team is the most important [component of success]. And he understands it, too. Every member of our team is ready and understands his goals. We have a worthy rival... I can't tell you who will win. We are ready.”

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has admitted that he would be open to the possibility of re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo in the future. However, he does not believe Real Madrid would consider the option of selling him to another European club and the Portuguese may perhaps end his career in the MLS.

Speaking to Portuguese outlet Record, he said: “I consider that Real Madrid cannot sell, they can't. It's prohibitive. He has to stay until the time when they authorise him to go and play one year to America or any other place where he wants to go. The door is closed. That is the impression I have. Everyone knows his history at Manchester, the passion they have for him, and that there are players in the world who, if clubs have the possibility of signing, will not say no.”

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is confident that the entire squad including Cristiano Ronaldo should be fit for this month’s Champions League final against Liverpool. The Portugal international sustained an ankle injury during the first half of the El Clasico last weekend but Zidane has assured that the attacker should regain his fitness alongside Isco and Dani Carvajal.

Speaking to reporters, he said: “Everyone will be okay for the final. Cristiano, Isco, and Carvajal.