Cristiano Ronaldo has done it again! Different country, same result: a domestic title for the Portuguese superstar.
With Juventus having clinched the Scudetto with a 2-1 win over Fiorentina on Saturday, Ronaldo has become the first man to win Europe's three major leagues: Serie A, La Liga and the Premier League.
The significance of this latest success will, of course, be debated. Firstly, it has arrived just four days after a demoralising Champions League elimination at the hands of a far more exciting but far less expensively assembled Ajax side.
In addition, this is Juve's eighth consecutive Scudetto, won with five games to spare. At no point did it look like they wouldn't retain their crown.
They were heavy favourites even before they signed Ronaldo from Madrid last summer. The arrival of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner merely made the probable inevitable.
Indeed, Antonio Cassano even claimed Ronaldo's signing had secured the Scudetto until 2022, when the forward's Juve contract is due to expire.
Ronaldo, though, felt he should be commended for broadening his horizons once again, even using his latest transfer as an opportunity to take a shot at his great rival, Lionel Messi, who looks increasingly likely to spend his entire career at Barcelona.
"I've played in England, Spain, Italy, Portugal and for my national team, while he's still in Spain," said Ronaldo.
"Maybe he needs me more. For me, life is a challenge. I like it and I like to make people happy."
Zlatan Ibrahimovic wasn't, though.
The Swedish striker – who has won titles in four countries (Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France) – took umbrage with the idea that Ronaldo's Madrid departure was motivated by a desire to test himself in another league.
"Ronaldo talks about challenges but he decided to go to a club who have been winning the Serie A title with their eyes closed!" Ibra legitimately pointed out.
"Why did he not choose a club from a second division a few years ago? Try to become a champion with such a second-division [club] and lead them to the highest level.
"Moving to Juventus is not a challenge at all."
Certainly, this season's Serie A success wasn't in the least bit taxing – either for Ronaldo or Juve.
They have been the outright leaders from match day two, winning 16 of their opening 17 fixtures to put the title race to bed by Christmas.
Indeed, their haul of 53 points from a possible 58 represented a new record for the halfway point of a Serie A season.
What's more, Juve haven't even played particularly well. They have been in cruise control for most of the campaign, playing effective but uninspired football, winning just five games by three goals or more.
It has been a sterile dominance. They have been nowhere near their best because they haven't had to be.
They managed to beat Inter and Milan at home, and Napoli away, despite performing poorly. That's how poor the level of competition has been for them.
Ronaldo has been predictably effective, with 19 goals, but he is only fourth in the Capocannoniere standings, three strikes behind 36-year-old top scorer Fabio Quagliarella, who is likely to be named player of the season for being the story of the season.
The 19-year-old Moise Kean, meanwhile, has arguably been the revelation of Juve's campaign, not least because it's hard to think of anyone else who has surpassed expectations.
Giorgio Chiellini has been his characteristically consistent self, and was sorely missed in the decisive Champions League quarter-final second leg against Ajax, while Wojciech Szczesny has proven a reliable replacement for Gianluigi Buffon.
The rest of their team-mates, though, have sparkled only occasionally.
Mario Mandzukic was a monster during the first half of the season but has faded since the turn of the year, while Paulo Dybala has played only in fits and starts and is no longer a guaranteed starter.
It's not as if they were saving themselves for Europe either – Juve turned in only two impressive performances in the Champions League before being dumped out by Ajax: the 1-0 win at Manchester United in the group stages; and the exhilarating 3-0 second-leg victory over Atletico Madrid in the last 16.
Ronaldo was, of course, the star of the show that night in Turin and, in truth, it is at that level that the true value of his transfer will be determined.
Just like Neymar, he left Spain to play for a team where domestic titles are taken for granted. Both moves will be ultimately judged on results in Europe.
Becoming the first man to win a league in a third different country is undoubtedly a commendable achievement for Ronaldo – it demonstrates versatility and a willingness to experience a new club, new team-mates and a new environment – but, given Serie A's painful lack of competition, it does little to strengthen Ronaldo's claim on the title of the greatest of all time.
Winning the Champions League with a third different team – one that hasn't lifted the European Cup since 1996 – well, that is the real challenge.
Pass that particular test and Ronaldo's case to be considered the greatest will be compelling. Unlike Serie A, though, it's not going to be easy.
Diubkmnru
458
What kind of coverage is this?? We all know how you try to praise the one club personality Messi..Tell me were Messi has proved himself in a small team..Dont tell me a team that smashed Barcelona 3-0 aint good competition enough in serie A..Pep is being praised but he has a squad at his disposal that could not go beyond qtr final.. My point is this..What Ronaldo has achieved should be hailed as great with no "Buts"..It does not matter with which team he achieves that but it has been achieved..otherwise if you sincere,you should by now say Messi's achievements are nothing much since he has played with some of the best squads at Barca.. please stop the poor reporting
LennLunkim
249
I think he should go PSG to LIGUE 1, the french league and make another history. Bcoz with or without him PSG has won the PREMIER LEAGUE 5/6 times in a row...and there is no real competitor, like when he joined Man United, then Real Madrid and recently Juventus. The only exception is La Liga where Messi's Barcelona has overshadowed and continually thwarted Real Madrid's dream of La Liga
Mosanya
240
Played in Spain 🇪🇸 Won 15 trophies 🏆 Played in England 🏴 Won 9 trophies 🏆 Now playing in Italy 🇮🇹 Won 2 trophies Cristaino Ronaldo always conquers and shines at any club he goes, he is incredible, congratulations to him for being the first player to win the top flight in England, spain and Italy.
Neuelmu
198
Common why do u hate Ronaldo this much guys?? Admit it or not he is the only player capable of challenging Messi..I want every single award to be won by these two..Hope he plays till his 40.. I'm a die hard Messi fan but surely when any of these two retires I'm gonna cry like a baby..
denkmsuyz
120
he spent 10 seasons in Spain, but won the laliga only two times. what is the noise about winning the league with three clubs. at ManU, it was the period of the dominance of the club in England. did he make manU dominant? and after he left the club, did manU go down because he left? we acknowledge his prowess in scoring goals but let it be stated that teams make Ronaldo and he does not make teams.
LennLunkim
101
Had Messi been as eager to break record and as selfish on the field...he would have long surpassed Ronaldo. Football is a team game. Ronaldo gets all the praise for the work of his team mates. Do you even know...Man Utd had been winning EPL with or without Ronaldo? Do you know before he went to Real madrid, Read Madrid was the champions of La Liga. Do you also know that Juventus has won their league 6/7 times consequtively before Ronaldo? Why don't you sent Ronaldo to PSG in League 1 so he could make another record? A Coward, he is. He knew he would be under Messi's shadow so he left Real Madrid early.
Chymadrid
97
This writer is sincere and did not mince words. He went directly to the point and nailed it. Ronaldo's juve adventure can be summed up as an escape from Messi's shadow. Again for him to lay claim of being a versatile man he went to juve where he's sure of winning at least the league. He should have chosen frosinone or chievo instead of juve to prove his greatness. Continuing in Madrid would mean he ll not win the league the next 10 years cos messi is dominating. Continuing means golden shoe ll not get to him cos Messi is dominating. Staying means he ll not win pichinchi cos Messi is dominating. The only easy route was juve that wins the Italian league without sweating. This man below is anointed. Players are compared to him, he's not compared to anyone.
GateWaye
94
Ronaldo added nothing to Javantus this season. 19 goal was Dybala position which he scored 22 goals last season. Higuain did the same before him. He make no difference but kick 25 shot a game with more off target which could have created goals for other players. He left Madrid Benzema have become a better Player while Dybala have drop because of him. Plus him or manus him Javantus always win Seria A.
JustGoWithIt
84
Congratulation To You Ronaldo On Being The 1st To Win With 3 Major Leagues
#KeepTravellingAroundTheWorld #Conquering [Cheer] [Bear]
#StillNotBetterTho [Crylaugh]
moshoodalanamu1
82
It has always really been prosperous for CR7! He is an effective and passionate footballer. He is a goal getter and pace setter.
oheneantwib
80
Wait, wait! With or without Ronaldo, Juventus would have won the league. Juventus have won the Seria A trophy 🏆 over the past eight seasons. "In addition, this is Juve's eighth consecutive Scudetto, won with five games to spare. At no point did it look like they wouldn't retain their crown." You can read for the yourselves they were destined to win the trophy again this season.
settle655
79
I respect zlatan but he never played in small team either. ..Malmö FF, Ajax,Juventus,from juventus you could easily moved to udinese but you moved to Inter Milan,to Barcelona why Barcelona since you called yourself God why don't you go to Girona instead of Barcelona,the you moved first to Milan (loan)later moved to Paris Saint-Germain,why don't you chose sochaux or saint Etienne's.. from PSG you moved to glory glory Manchester United,then to United states you joined LA Galaxy why can't you joined Chicago fire so you can at least proof you're God of soccer/football..don't ever compared yourself with Christiano Ronaldo and Eric king Cantona..Good night zlatan..read more in your dream..
cabdalamohamed
78
Three. Leagues. Big. Titles. In The. World AND EUROPE'S. C👏👏👏 Ronaldo has become the first man to win Europe's three major leagues: Serie A, La Liga and the Premier League.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
pawacinrt
77
if juve has always been winning it, why is ronaldo the juventus highest goal scorer... some haters are just crazy.. why hating ronaldo..... the world will neber allow you to rate messi above him because they both at same level on the pitch.,..... and outside pitch we all know what happens there...
Amanda-
74
This’s an exceptional record, in the future when looking back at what Messi and Ronaldo did , this kinda record will make Ronaldo stand out and have upper hand against Messi. The only way Messi beats him , is by winning the World Cup.
besaloprty
71
When a person jumps out of the ring to be great in another ring or place cannot Call himself a challenger. If you want to prove that you’re better someone they call the best go to him and fight for greatness in the same competition, place,etc with him even beating him then we shall know you’re a challenge but fighting in a different place while making noise “I am better than that best” you’re a failure not challenger. Why did he run away from fire and go to a one team league with Juventus winning for eight consecutive years!!!!!!! Ehhhhhh too poor a league. Which big league has experienced the same?
Don_Baba
44
I wish Ronaldo play at Bayern Munich or PSG next season to win another domestic title. It's historical to win different league titles and I hope Messi do the same as him and go for another challenge maybe Man City to win EPL or Bayern for Bundesliga........that would be beautiful too. GOATS......CR7+LM10======Double gods[Bear]
melonody95
44
It is funny to hear that! When Juventus lost then they blame the players for not doing well. But if Juventus win the only player's name i could hear from the news was Ronaldo won the match out of all the players in the squad! Please Ronaldo isnt playing alone in the field. Respect other players!! Congratulations Juventus
Mumdnsty
43
It is simple , messi fans will never praise him because they feel jealous with ronaldo ... because of what they did against them . In that legendry barca era only ronaldo caused troubles for them and reject barca also . You admit or not Ronaldo is a machine , he can play and fit at any club and can achieve victory as well . I love messi because of what he did in past and continues doing ... and i m not going to compare ronaldo with messi like the other fools do but Ronaldo made his own place in the all time greats and no team is complete without him . My best three are always ronaldo messi and drogba ............ messi is natural but ronaldo is a hope of every normal footballer that if you work hard 100% and you are mentally tough and believe in yourself then you can achieveevery trophy in the football world . Yes world is the trophy which ronaldo is not having currently is the WC but you never know what will happen in football . We are really lucky to enjoy the game of the moat hardworking player !!
Debentuz
34
No news. Someone has already done more than that. Stop over rating CR7. A player who specialise in goal scoring. Play bad and score “he play well” any day he did not score he have a bad game. Ronaldo is just like Nigeria NEPPA. One day one, two days off. I wonder how a goal scorer is compare to the one who score, assist, create chance, hold midfield and even a play maker. Common, comparing Ronaldo to Messi is like comparing a single printer to a multifunction printer. Just imagine, you print, scan, fax, copy and even have network and they say the one that do only printing is better than you. That is an insult.
besaloprty
33
I don’t hate Ronaldo in fact I love every footballer in the world but the way I support is not hating other teams I don’t support coz playing against other teams or competing with them is what supporting is all about. Imagine if there was only the team you support in existence, with no challenge, no competition what will your be for or about. So support but don’t hate. Let me also ask you; do you love Messi? Let’s enjoy the game not hate people and another thing if God gave talent to Ronaldo and Messi let’s appreciate God and accept them as they are. Every one has what the other doesn’t and we them both.