Former Juven president says signing Cristiano Ronaldo was a 'mistake'

© Provided by Daily MailMailOnline logo

Former Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli has sensationally claimed that signing Cristiano Ronaldo was a mistake which the Italian giants should not have made.

Cobolli's words arrive in the midst of a turbulent week for Ronaldo, who finds himself firmly under the spotlight after yet another premature Champions League exit with Juve.

Ronaldo could only watch on as Juve were dumped out of the Champions League at the first round of knockouts, to a Porto side who had a man sent off.

© Provided by Daily MailRonaldo has failed to propel Juve to a European final

© Provided by Daily MailCobolli bolds claims the £100m star was a 'mistake'

Juve had lost the first leg 2-1 but managed to initially overturn the deficit and take the second fixture into extra time by replicating the 2-1 scoreline.

Yet an 115th minute strike from Sergio Oliveira broke Ronaldo and Juventus' hearts, with the Italians crashing out of the competition on away goals with a 4-4 scoreline, after Adrien Rabiot had also scored in extra time.

Now, with the club in turmoil, ex-chief Cobolli has slammed Ronaldo and the decision-making process of his former employers, who brought in the Portuguese star on a £28million-per-year contract.

© Provided by Daily MailRonaldo was brought in as a Champions League talisman but could not stop Porto progressing

He told Radio Punto Nuovo, as reported by Marca: 'Cristiano Ronaldo was a wrong purchase? Absolutely yes! I said it from day one, showing appreciation for a great champion that he is, but he is too expensive and too conditioning.

'It's Juventus' business to sell Ronaldo or not, but he's worth a million per goal.'

Cobolli's strong words come following a very cryptic announcement by Juve's chief football officer Fabio Paratici earlier in the week, in which he outlined that the potential renewal of Ronaldo's contract is not presently 'on the agenda.'

'Fortunately, there's a year left on his contract; we have time eventually to discuss it with him', Paratici told Sky Italia.

''Let's just say it's not on the agenda right now.'

The five-times Champions League winner is in the minds of many considered the greatest footballer of all time, if not on a par with Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

© Provided by Daily MailIn his first Juve season Ronaldo went out to Ajax

© Provided by Daily MailLast year he failed to help his side eliminate Lyon

Throughout his career Ronaldo has been noted to excel in the Champions League, and is the tournament's all time leading goalscorer.

His two-and-a-half-years in Italian football so far have produced two league titles and two Coppa Italias, but no success on the European stage.

In his first season with Juve Ronaldo scored a remarkable hat-trick to secure progression against Atletico Madrid, only to later be eliminated by a plucky Ajax side in the quarter-finals.

Last season saw Ronaldo and Juve go out to Lyon in the round of 16 stage, while the same thing has now happened once again, this time to Porto. 

Following Tuesday night's exit the Italian media wasted little time before sticking the boot in to Ronaldo, accusing him of 'betraying' his Juve team-mates after turning his back on the freekick which led to the decisive goal. 

© Provided by Daily MailCorriere dello Sport used the headline 'Betrayed by Ronaldo' on Wednesday's front page

© Provided by Daily MailRonaldo turned his back in the wall as Sergio Oliveira scored a low free-kick in extra time

Ronaldo and Juve now return to domestic matters and attempt to salvage their season, which appears poised to see them miss out on the Serie A title for the first time since 2011.

This season was supposed to be a historic campaign in which Juve - managed by club icon Andrea Pirlo - would go on to win a remarkable tenth consecutive title.

As things currently stand Juve find themselves in third place, ten points adrift of leaders Inter Milan having played one match fewer.

Now, 13 domestic fixtures remain for Ronaldo and Co. along with another Coppa Italia final on May 19, against Atalanta.

Within the final four matches Juve face both of their Milan rivals who currently sit ahead of them, in what could be pivotal fixtures in determining where the Italian league title ends up.