Cristiano Ronaldo dropped to Juventus bench for Serie A opener amid future doubts

Julien Laurens and Gab Marcotti wonder if it is the right time for Juventus to part ways with Cristiano Ronaldo. (1:51).
Gab & Juls believe that Juventus should be open for Ronaldo's exit (1:51).

Speculation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's future at the club led to him being dropped from the bench during Juventus' Serie A match against Udinese.

Massimiliano Allegri, Juve manager, dismissed Saturday's reports that Ronaldo could leave Turin in the summer. Allegri claimed that Ronaldo had already told him he would stay.

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Sky Italy reports that Ronaldo asked not to start the match. ESPN reached out to Ronaldo's representatives in order for clarification.

Pavel Nedved, vice president of Juventus, told DAZN that Ronaldo's start on the bench was mutually decided. He also added: "Cristiano is still at Juventus."

Ronaldo lashed out at the transfer rumors about his future earlier this week, accusing people being "disrespectful" but not committing his future with Juventus.

Spanish late-night TV program "El Chiringuito", claimed Monday that Real Madrid would be making a comeback. However, Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti disassociated himself from the story via social media.

During his first tenure as Real Madrid manager, Ancelotti was in the same team with Ronaldo for two years.

They won the long-awaited 10th European Cup, beating rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1 in extra time in the 2014 Champions League final. Ronaldo scored a late penalty. This was before Ancelotti was fired in 2015.

Juve, who are looking for positive results after Inter Milan's impressive start to their campaign as Serie A champions, hope to see some improvement in Allegri’s first league match since Andrea Pirlo was replaced in the summer.