30 Mar Cristiano Ronaldo’s huge Juventus pay sacrifice

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to decimate Italy, stars and coaches from reigning Serie A champions Juventus – including Cristiano Ronaldo – have taken significant pay cuts.

Ronaldo, the club’s highest paid player, has agreed to waive $18 million in wages over the next four months to help the Italian giants survive the COVID-19 crisis.

Three Juventus players – Daniele Rugani, Blaise Matuidi and Paulo Dybala – have tested positive for the disease with the death toll in Italy surpassing 10,000.

Juventus said in a statement: “It has reached an understanding with the players and the coach of the First Team regarding their compensation for the residual portion of the current sport season."

“The understanding provides for the reduction of the compensation for an amount equal to the monthly payments of March, April, May and June 2020. In the coming weeks, personal agreements with the players and the coach will be finalised, as required by the current regulations.

“The economic and financial effects of the understanding reached are positive for about EUR 90 million for the 2019/2020 financial year.”

Italy’s top-flight has been suspended since March 9 with the domestic season, like most leagues around the world, in danger of being declared null and void.