Ronaldo on the bench an unfamiliar sight at Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo starts on the bench against Everton today, but seeing the Portuguese star on the sidelines during his time at Juventus was quite unfamiliar.

Ronaldo played 134 games during his three-year spell with the Bianconeri, scoring 101 goals. He started most of his games with the Bianconeri and was relegated to the bench only eight times while in Turin.

The first time was during Juventus’ 2-2 draw against Atalanta on December 26, 2018. Ronaldo came off the bench in the final 25 minutes and scored a goal to rescue a point for the Old Lady.

During his time in Turin, he remained on the bench for the whole game only twice. First against Udinese in March 2019 and then against Bologna in the last Serie A game of 2020-21 with Andrea Pirlo in the dug-out.

Ronaldo didn’t like to start on the bench at Juventus and would rather not be available at all.

The Portuguese ace didn’t join the team despite not having physical issues six times over three seasons.

During Maurizio Sarri’s one-year spell at the Allianz Stadium, Ronaldo was never relegated to the bench and was subbed off only twice.

He made his last appearance with the Bianconeri coming off the bench in a 2-2 draw against Udinese in August. It is believed that he asked Massimiliano Allegri not to start the game as he was seeking for Juventus exit.