Juventus have escalated their legal dispute with Cristiano Ronaldo to Italy’s Court of Cassation, challenging a ruling requiring the club to pay the Portuguese forward €9.8m in deferred wages.
The case dates back to 2021, when Ronaldo left Juventus to return to Manchester United. It centres on an agreement reportedly reached during the COVID-19 pandemic, under which the Italian club committed to paying €19.5m in deferred salaries. The agreement, commonly referred to as the “Ronaldo letter”, emerged during investigations into Juventus’ financial practices and a wage-related arrangement known as the “salary manoeuvre”.
Juventus Challenges Previous Rulings
Ronaldo has secured two favourable decisions in the dispute. In April 2024, an arbitration panel ruled by majority that Juventus must pay the former striker €9.8m, plus interest and inflation adjustments. The award represented approximately half of the amount Ronaldo had originally claimed.
However, the panel did not conclude that Juventus had deliberately misled the player. It also noted that Ronaldo had not requested the outstanding payment when he left Italy in 2021. Juventus subsequently challenged the arbitration decision, but the Turin Labour Court rejected the appeal in January 2026, leaving the original ruling in place.
According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta, Juventus have now taken the case to the Court of Cassation, Italy’s highest court and the final level of appeal in its judicial system. The club confirmed in its 2025–26 financial report that it filed the latest appeal on March 27, 2026. A hearing date has yet to be announced.
Juventus Addresses Financial Implications
Juventus have also sought to reassure investors about the potential financial consequences of the dispute. The club said the costs associated with the ruling had already been reflected in its accounts since the 2023–24 financial year. It therefore expects no additional negative impact on its current or future financial statements.
The latest appeal extends a dispute that has continued for several years following Ronaldo’s departure from Turin. Ronaldo, who played for Juventus between 2018 and 2021, returned to Manchester United before later joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.
The outcome of the proceedings before the Court of Cassation will determine whether the existing ruling requiring Juventus to pay the outstanding wages remains in force.
