A lack of collective success this term has led to suggestions that Ronaldo could leave the club at the end of the season, with former side Real Madrid mooted, but Nedved is convinced that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner will stay put.
And Nedved clearly still believes the Portuguese star is one of the best players in the world despite facing criticism in recent weeks.
Ronaldo was blasted by many for the part he played in Juve’s Champions League last-16 exit to FC Porto after he turned his back on the free-kick which ultimately knocked the Serie A giants out of the competition.
Juventus vice president Pavel Nedved to DAZN: “Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at Juventus, he’s untouchable. Also, Andrea Pirlo will be our manager next season”. ⚪️⚫️ #Juventus
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 24, 2021
“For me, Ronaldo can’t be touched,” Nedved said in an interview with DAZN. “He has a contract until June 30, 2022 and will stay. What happens after that remains to be seen.
“Cristiano, both technically and in terms of image, pushed us towards the peak of football. On a technical level, you can’t fault him. He’s scored more than 100 goals in 120 games and he dragged us into the Champions League.
“We can criticise him – we all have to be open to criticism when we make a mistake – but to question his numbers and what he gives us in every game, for me, isn’t fair.
“He’s a simple guy, even if it doesn’t seem like that from the outside.
“Kids will study his physique and his career. He’s the prototype of the modern player who, with immense talent and a lot of work, has achieved incredible goals.”
Full faith in Pirlo
“Pirlo is and will be the coach of Juventus, that’s 100% certain,” Nedved told DAZN.
“We committed to a project with Andrea, knowing that there would be difficulties. We wanted to do better than this and haven’t managed to, but difficulties were predicted.
“We are very calm. We’re on the path that we wanted, which we will stay on. He has everything to become a great coach.”
