Juventus talisman Cristiano Ronaldo was constantly booed during the Bianconeri's friendly with the K-League all-stars in Seoul, South Korea on Friday. The jeers stem from the Portuguese forward's decision to sit the game out despite having agreed to play for at least 30 minutes.
Juventus played out a 3-3 draw against the K League all-stars in an exhibition match.
Ronaldo, who scored two of Juventus' three pre-season goals, remained on the bench for the entire game, much to the disappointment and anger of the 60,000 spectators in the stadium.
The game itself was delayed for 58 minutes as the Italian team arrived in South Korea on a delayed flight from Nanjing, China leaving them with little time to recuperate before playing the match five hours later.
Ronaldo's absence from the squad, which is opposed to his contractual obligation, was met with angry jeers from the massive crowd of supporters who bought tickets to see the Portuguese ace.
According to Fox Sports Asia, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who was supposed to play for at least thirty minutes as per his contractual terms, was booed every time he appeared on the big screen during the game.
The crowd was heard calling out Ronaldo's name as early as the 24th minute and frustration even saw them chanting Messi's name towards the end of the first half. Furthermore, some supporters were spotted leaving the game early in disappointment.
After the game, Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri confirmed that Ronaldo was left out of the game because of muscle fatigue and exhaustion.
ImAshCR7
215
He wasn't fully fit so team management can't take that serious risk for a friendly match...and we all know the feelings how much we love our GOAT...so please understand Korean fans🙏❤
lukzlat910
160
Why was he met with Messi chants?? Why?!?! Everything that has to do with Ronaldo, Messi fans come in and troll him, and the same vice versa....can we just learn to respect both of them?!?! They're the best treasure football has ever had and we're lucky to witness this era of football, stop hating them, respect the 2 G.O.A.Ts
Jinwookim
61
He could just play for like a minute and wave to people in Korea. But, he did nothing and even expressed his anger about the boo. smh. I personally like him much better than Messi, but this time, I am dissappointed. 😡
Nizcdkmruy
53
he should have played, even with clutches. all the fans wanted was to see him touch down in their country. he missed one there, bad publicity in a whole country, where the players even celebrated like him. Sarri is fucking up ronaldo style badly. first the unnecessary sub against Tottenham and the sit out in a whole Korea
B-bek CR
53
The one who booed him are just disgrace...it was not Ronaldo who didn't played, the decision taking power is in coach hand & Sarri admitted he excluded Ronaldo because he was facing some problems like injury...isn't it a matter to be understood?? Only those can argue about it who haven't understood it, if someone argues knowing it, i have no words for them
Zeubmpuy
49
can not risk him in such friendly coz they are unknown players who are eager to to prove that they are very good defenders and they would've sent him off the pitch due to injury
simmzy
49
Ronaldo must apologize I feel pain of all the supporters it's like you go buy sugar you open it find that it's salt apologize Mr CR7 please
bizou650
46
The people china shud not worry Bale is on his way with a Kungfu kick to replace CR7 absent during the Match
Luabdprsyz
41
I can't even forget how many times CR7 has humiliated and disgraced a lots of fans in their country/ clubs chanting messi to annoy him... Sweden, Bostonia, Girona , Spain , Morocco and so many others... they can testify because they're all case studies.. GOAT CR7
vobblnoy
38
Korean fans you have the right to get angry and even me I will be angry in such case but please let's understand that sometimes things don't work according to what we thought. We other fans too regret and so also Cristiano Ronaldo must be and in fact he would be more regretting cos he's a good man