Cristiano Ronaldo has written an open letter to Real Madrid fans explaining why he asked to leave the club after nine years. The Portuguese forward signed from Manchester United in the summer of 2009 but is leaving for a "new step" at Juventus. Real Madrid released a letter, penned by Ronaldo, on their website: "These years in Madrid, and in this city of Madrid, have been possibly the happiest of my life. Ronaldo's Champions League century Show all 21 1 /21 Ronaldo's Champions League century Ronaldo's Champions League century Ronaldo's Champions League century Against Bayern Munich, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first ever man to score 100 goals in the Uefa Champions League. Here we recount some of his most memorable. Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 1 Ronaldo opened his century of Champions League goals against Debreceni in the third round of qualifying for the competition. He netted a precise tap in off a Wayne Rooney cross off the right flank. AFP/Getty Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 9 An injury time free-kick from 20-yards out against former club Sporting secured a 2-1 win for Manchester united in the 2007 Champions League group stages. Man Utd via Getty Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 12 A towering 26th minute header in the 2008 final gave Manchester United a vital early lead. The Reds went on to beat Chelsea 6-5 in penalties. Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 15 Still to this day one of the finest goals in Champions League history. A 35-yard screamer from open play against Porto gave Manchester United the a 3-2 aggregate win in the quarter-finals. Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 40 Ronaldo's 90th-minute strike won an engrossing game as the nine-time champions scored twice in the last four minutes to snatch a 3-2 victory. Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 43 A cheeky chip over goalkeeper Kenneth Vemeer gave Ronaldo his first Champions league hatrick as Real Madrid thumped Ajax 3-1 in the second group stage match in 2012. Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 44 A second chip in two matches- this time Ronaldo latched on to a long ball in the box before sneakily flicking over Borussia Dortmund keeper Roman Widenfeller for the equaliser. AFP/Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 50 50 up in style! Six minutes into the 2012/13 Champions League quarter-finals first leg against Galatasaray, Ronaldo found himself in space to convert Karim Benzema’s cross, putting Madrid one step closer to what was a record 24th European semi-final. AFP/Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 54 Ronaldo and Real Madrid ran riot against Galatasaray in the 2013 group stages. A jaw dropping dribble weaved through the Turkish defence and a low blast past the outstretched hands of Fernando Musrela brought up Ronaldo’s second European hatrick and helped them to a 6-1 win. Getty Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 62 This time Schalke were at the other end of the Ronaldo and Madrid show. He strormed down the centre field, split the defence in two, dribbled the keeper and scored his second of the night. Simple. Bongarts/Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 64 The second leg of the 2013 Champions league round of 16 against Schalke brought about another Ronaldo double. A 30-yard run down the right wing and a shot from the edge of the box gave the keeper no chance. Madrid completed a 9-2 aggregate win over the Germans. Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 68 The night Ronaldo won the Champions League for Real Madrid. He lined up for the 120th minute penalty and made no mistake. Real Madrid scored 4 goals in extra time to break Atletico hearts. Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 73 Ronaldo's 73rd European goal came at Liverpool. Despite not being as instantly brilliant as some of his others, it was voted the second-best goal in the competition that season and set Real on their way to a comfortable 3-0 win at Anfield. AFP/Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 80 A classic Ronaldo penalty brought up the personal milestone of 80 European goals and helped but was not enough to send Real through to the finals of the Champions League. Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 83 After Marcelo’s shot was saved by the keeper, Ronaldo was in the perfect spot for a rebound and in the process brought up his third European hat-trick vs Shaktar in the 2015 Champions League group stages. Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 90 An 8 goal drubbing of Malmo gave Ronaldo his fourth European hat-trick. The third goal from the three came in the 59th minute from a low blast through the keepers legs. Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 91 With his fourth goal of the match against Malmo, Ronaldo broke the record for the most goals in the group stages of the Champions League (11). Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 92 A game later against Roma, Ronaldo ventured down the left leaving the defence trailing. One quick cut in and a curved right foot shot later and he had his 92nd European goal. Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Ronaldo’s fifth European hat-trick came against Wolfsburg in the 2016 quarter-finals. The Germans had won the first leg 2-0. He completed the stunning comeback with a sublime chipped free kick that sent the Madrid fans into delirium. Bongarts/Getty Images Ronaldo's Champions League century Goal 100 The Real Madrid superstar scored five of his team's six goals in the quarter-final tie against Bayern Munich, moving him to a century of goals as he tapped home Marcelo’s cross in the second period of extra time. Getty Images "I only have feelings of enormous thanks for this club, this fanbase and this city. I can only give thanks to all of them for the love and affection that I have received. "However, I think that the moment has arrived to start a new chapter in my life and therefore I have asked the club to accept letting me leave. I am sorry it is like this and I ask all of you, especially our followers, to please understand me. "These have been nine absolutely marvellous years. These have been nine unique years. It has been an emotional time for me, full of consideration because Real Madrid takes the most out of you but I know very well that I won't be able to ever forget that here I've enjoyed football in a completely unique way. "I have had on the field and in the dressing room some fabulous teammates, I have felt the heat of an incredible fanbase and together we have won three consecutive Champions Leagues and four in five years. Together with those I have the individual satisfaction of having won four Ballon d'Or and three Golden Boots. All during my spell in this immense, extraordinary club. "Real Madrid has conquered my heart and that of my family, and that is why more than ever I want to say thanks: thanks to the club, to the president, to the directors, to my friends, to all the coaches, doctors, physios, incredible workers that make everything function that are attending tirelessly to every detail. "Infinite thanks one more time to our fans and thank you also to Spanish football. During this incredible nine years I have played against incredible players. My respect and my recognition goes out to all them. ✕ Zinedine Zidane denies Cristiano Ronaldo 'crisis' is behind his departure "I have reflected a lot and I know that the moment has arrived for a new cycle. I am leaving but this shirt, this badge and the Santiago Bernabeu I will continue to feel as something that is mine wherever I go. "Thank you to everyone and, of course, like I said for the first time in our stadium nine years ago: Hala Madrid!"<doc-sep>Cristiano Ronaldo has written an emotional letter to Real Madrid fans. The Portuguese superstar is moving to Juventus in a stunning £99million deal after Real agreed to his request to leave. 3 Cristiano Ronaldo has left Real Madrid to join Italian champions Juventus It brings to an end a remarkable record-breaking spell at the Bernabeu for Ronaldo, who moved to the club in 2009 from Manchester United. In his nine years with the Spanish giants, he scored a staggering 450 goals and won a glittering array of major trophies, including four Champions League titles, three Club World Cups, two LaLiga titles and two Copa Del Reys. In an open letter issued via the club’s official website, www.realmadrid.com, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner wrote: “These years at Real Madrid and in this city of Madrid have been possibly the happiest of my life. “I only have feelings of enormous gratitude for this club, for these fans and for this city. I can only thank all of them for the love and affection I have received. “However, I believe that the time has come to open a new stage in my life and that is why I have asked the club to accept transferring me. I feel that way and I ask everyone, and especially our followers, to please understand me.” 3 Cristiano Ronaldo won his fourth Champions League with Real Madrid in 2018 The Portugal international added: “They have been an absolutely wonderful nine years. They have been nine unique years. It has been an exciting time for me, but also hard because Real Madrid makes a very high demand, but I know very well that I will never forget that I have enjoyed football here in a unique way. “I have had fabulous team-mates on the field and in the dressing room, I have felt the warmth of an incredible crowd and together we have won three Champions Leagues in a row and four Championships in five years. “And with them also on an individual level, I have the satisfaction of having won four Ballon d’Ors and three Golden Boots during my time at this immense and extraordinary club.” 3 Ronaldo has won five Ballon d’Or trophies in his career, one with Manchester United and the rest with Real Madrid Ronaldo went on to express his gratitude for the time he has spent at the Bernabeu and insisted the club would always have a place in his heart. He said: “Real Madrid has conquered my heart, and that of my family, and that is why more than ever I want to say thank you: thanks to the club, the president, the directors, my colleagues, all the technicians, doctors, physios and incredible workers. They make everything work and they are tirelessly watching every detail. “Thank you infinitely once more to our fans and thanks also to Spanish Football. During these nine exciting years, I have had great players in front of me. My respect and my recognition for all of them. 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I’m leaving, but this shirt, this badge and the Santiago Bernabeu will continue to always feel as my own wherever I am. “Thanks to all and, of course, as I said that first time in our stadium nine years ago, ‘Hala Madrid!’.”<doc-sep>
Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he is leaving Real Madrid for a new challenge at Juventus. The two clubs have agreed a deal, believed to be worth a staggering £105m, for the Portuguese superstar. Real issued a statement confirming they had agreed to let Ronaldo go with the player hinting he would leave after the Champions League final. It brings an end to his nine-year stint at the Bernabeu, in which he became the club's all-time leading goalscorer. Ronaldo admitted the time had come to start a "new stage in his life" and had asked Real to agree to his move to the Italian champions. (Image: AFP) (Image: AFP) Ronaldo is set to pocket a staggering €30m-a-year with the Italian champions after agreeing terms. He could make his debut later this month when Juve begin their tour of the United States. It remains to be seen who replaces him at the Bernabeu with the likes of Eden Hazard linked. Ronaldo statement in full These years in Real Madrid, and in this city of Madrid, have been possibly the happiest of my life. I only have feelings of enormous gratitude for this club, for this hobby and for this city. I can only thank all of them for the love and affection I have received. However, I believe that the time has come to open a new stage in my life and that is why I have asked the club to accept transferring me. I feel that way and I ask everyone, and especially our followers, to please understand me. They have been absolutely wonderful for 9 years. They have been 9 unique years. It has been an exciting time for me, full of consideration but also hard because Real Madrid is of a very high demand, but I know very well that I will never forget that I have enjoyed football here in a unique way. (Image: REUTERS) (Image: AFP) I have had fabulous teammates in the field and in the dressing room, I have felt the warmth of an incredible crowd and together we have won 3 Champions in a row and 4 Champions in 5 years. And with them also, on an individual level, I have the satisfaction of having won 4 Gold Balls and 3 Gold Boots. All during my time in this immense and extraordinary club. Real Madrid has conquered my heart, and that of my family, and that is why more than ever I want to say thank you: thanks to the club, the President, the directors, my colleagues, all the technicians, doctors, physios and incredible workers that make everything work and that are pending every detail tirelessly. (Image: REX/Shutterstock) (Image: REUTERS) Thank you infinitely once more to our fans and thanks also to Spanish Football. During these 9 exciting years I have had great players in front of me. My respect and my recognition for all of them. I have reflected a lot and I know that the time has come for a new cycle. I'm leaving but this shirt, this shield and the Santiago Bernabéu will continue to always feel as my own wherever I am. Thanks to all and, of course, as I said that first time in our stadium 9 years ago: Hala Madrid!