Cristiano Ronaldo pushes Juventus for payment in ongoing salary fight

Ronaldo, now at Al-Nassr and still regarded as one of the biggest names in world football, claims Juventus failed to pay him close to twenty million euros in deferred salary from his time in Turin.

The issue stems from the Covid-19 pandemic, when Juventus, like many clubs, postponed or reduced player salaries to ease financial pressure.

Ronaldo began arbitration proceedings in June 2023, demanding around 19.5 million euros. A tribunal ruled in April 2024 that he was entitled to 9.7 million euros plus interest, but Juventus immediately lodged an appeal. "I have always honoured my contracts and I expect clubs to do the same," Ronaldo said previously when asked about the dispute.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward has since pushed for the annulment of a "reduction agreement" signed in 2021, which he argues was unfair. If successful, he could reclaim the full amount he is chasing.

The latest hearing, held in September 2025, was adjourned, with a final ruling expected on 12 January 2026.

Juventus, who are under new management following the return of Thiago Motta as head coach in the summer, continue to deny wrongdoing. The Serie A giants are also navigating financial pressure after recent years of off-field investigations, including the "Prisma" case over transfer dealings.

For Ronaldo, the saga represents one of the few disputes in a career defined by goals and silverware. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored more than 870 career goals and remains the top scorer in men's international football, a record he extended with Portugal in their Euro 2024 campaign.

As the January decision looms, the case could set a precedent for how deferred wages during the pandemic are treated in football contracts.

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