Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo told him to sign for Juventus following the Netherlands’ 1-0 loss to Portugal in the Nations League final.
The 19-year-old, who captained Ajax to their first domestic double in 17 years, is one of the most sought-after players in Europe, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Barcelona also interested in his signature this summer window.
Juventus have also been linked with Matthijs De Ligt and his chat with Ronaldo after Portugal’s victory on Sunday night immediately got tongues wagging.
The pair shared a brief joke before Cristiano Ronaldo gave De Ligt a playful pat on the head and the youngster has revealed what was said during their conversation.
Asked whether Ronaldo had persuaded him to join Juventus, De Ligt told Dutch publication NOS: ‘That could well be true.
‘What I answered? I didn’t understand him at first. So I said… no, I didn’t say anything.’
When pressed, De Ligt conceded that Ronaldo had asked him to sign for Juventus, stating: ‘I was a bit shocked, that’s why I laughed.
‘But I didn’t say anything.
‘Just after the game you just feel bad that you’ve lost, that’s all you’re thinking about.’
De Ligt, who has reportedly been offered an astonishing £350,000-a-week wages to join United, claimed that he will make a decision on his future after a short break.
‘I will go on vacation now,’ he told TV Univisionfollowing the Netherlands’ defeat.
‘I am going to think about what’s best for me and then I will decide.
‘I think it’s important for a young player to play, that’s the only thing I know.’
Frenkie de Jong hopes De Ligt rejects the likes of Juventus and Manchester United to join him at Camp Nou this summer window.
‘He has to make his own decisions,’ De Jong said.
‘Of course I would like him to come to Barcelona but we will see what happens. It’s up to him.
