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Europe’s top leagues: 5 storylines to watch for this season

By Clemente Lisi

TURIN, ITALY - JULY 31: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus during a Juventus training session on July 31, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - JULY 31: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus during a Juventus training session on July 31, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) /
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TURIN, ITALY – JULY 31: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus during a Juventus training session on July 31, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – JULY 31: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus during a Juventus training session on July 31, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) /

Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact with Juventus

As Juventus toured the United States during preseason, the real action was taking place across the Atlantic, where Ronaldo was preparing for a new season. The Portuguese star signed with the Italian giants during the World Cup, even taking attention away (albeit briefly) from the tournament in Russia. Ronaldo is now ready to show everyone that he can still dominate.

There are several unanswered questions as Juve head into the season, once again as favorites. Can the five-time Balon d’Or winner, at age 33, lead a team without Real Madrid’s star power to glory? Can Ronaldo score with the same frequency, now a year older, compared to his days in La Liga? Those are just two that will be answered over the next nine months. Should Ronaldo succeed, it will only strengthen his legacy. If he fails, it will be chalked up to his age.

Juve doled out €100 million to secure Ronaldo’s transfer from Real Madrid. He’ll need to justify that hefty sum. He already has when you consider hype, buzz and jersey sales. The time will now come for Ronaldo to deliver on the field, although no other team in Italy has even come close to reinforcing itself like the Old Lady did this summer.

Bianconeri fans will be impatient if Ronaldo fails to deliver an eighth consecutive title (calling on Napoli, Roma and Inter Milan to rise to the challenge) and, more importantly, the Champions League. The Serie A campaign starts Aug. 18, when Juve travel to Verona to take on Chievo. Expect all eyes to be on Ronaldo during that game and for the rest of the season.

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