Key Takeaways:
- Juventus have escalated their legal battle with Cristiano Ronaldo to Italy’s Court of Cassation
- An arbitration panel in April 2024 ordered Juventus to pay Ronaldo 9.8 million euros in deferred wages
- The club confirmed the appeal was lodged on 27 March 2026 and the cost has been reflected in accounts since 2023-2024
Background to the Dispute
The legal contest between Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo dates back to 2021, when the Portuguese star departed the Allianz Stadium to rejoin Manchester United. The crux of the issue lies in an agreement reportedly made during the coronavirus pandemic, where Juventus pledged to pay Ronaldo 19.5 million euros in deferred salary.
Investigators, probing the club’s financial dealings in connection with the so-called “wage manoeuvre” – a series of agreements on player payments during the pandemic – discovered a private document known as the “Ronaldo letter”. This document became a key piece of evidence in the ongoing case.
Juventus have taken their legal battle with Cristiano Ronaldo to Italy’s Court of Cassation, challenging a ruling that ordered the club to pay the Portuguese forward €9.8m in outstanding wages. https://t.co/GGBYoYf8rO
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) October 13, 2026
Legal Proceedings and Rulings
Cristiano Ronaldo’s efforts to reclaim the outstanding balance resulted in two key rulings in his favour. In April 2024, an arbitration panel decided by majority that Juventus must pay the forward 9.8 million euros, inclusive of interest and adjustments for inflation. This figure represents about half the amount Ronaldo had originally sought. The same panel found no intention by Juventus to deceive Ronaldo and noted that he had not demanded the funds upon leaving Italy in 2021.
Juventus challenged the decision, but their appeal was dismissed by Turin’s labour court in January 2026, upholding the panel’s original ruling.
Juventus’ Appeal to the Court of Cassation
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus have now taken the case to Italy’s Court of Cassation, the nation’s highest court of appeal. The club’s financial report for the 2025-2026 season confirms that the appeal was filed on 27 March 2026, and a hearing date is yet to be set.
| Event | Date | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Arbitration Panel Ruling | April 2024 | Juventus ordered to pay 9.8 million euros to Ronaldo |
| Turin Labour Court Appeal Dismissed | January 2026 | Original decision upheld |
| Court of Cassation Appeal Filed | 27 March 2026 | Awaiting hearing date |
Financial Statement Implications
Juventus advised investors that the costs arising from the court’s decision have already been accounted for in the club’s books since the 2023-2024 financial year. As a result, no further financial impact is expected on their current or forthcoming financial statements.
