Juve coach Sarri: That’s why Ronaldo is causing problems

Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri wanted to praise his superstar. After all, Cristiano Ronaldo had just scored a brace, and his side had scored to give Parma a 2-1 victory.

His coach was less accurate in his choice of words afterwards. Sarri expressed himself so clumsily that it ultimately became a “poisoned” compliment for the five-time world footballer.

“He’s an exceptional player,” said Sarri. “But sometimes he creates little problems because everything has to revolve around him.” Critical words from his coach about the Portuguese, who is said by many football fans and critics to have a strong tendency to fall in love with himself anyway. Probably in order not to annoy his vain star too much, Sarri added: “But he also solves a hundred problems”.

Rumours of a strained relationship between coach and goalscorer had already been circulating in November last year after Sarri Ronaldo had replaced Milan early on. Ronaldo had then given him a disparaging look and got carried away with a few insults. He had disappeared from the stadium before the final whistle.