'Even a champion like Ronaldo offers no guarantees' - Juventus legend Marchisio reflects on shattered dreams

Cristiano Ronaldo is “a champion”, concedes Claudio Marchisio, but even his talents were never going to be enough on their own to land Juventus a much-coveted Champions League crown.

The Bianconeri invested heavily in a five-time Ballon d’Or winner during the summer of 2018 in the hope that he would prove to the final piece in a European puzzle.

Despite the 34-year-old’s best efforts, a first continental crown since 1996 has remained elusive.

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Ronaldo netted in both legs of a quarter-final clash with Ajax, but the Dutch giants claimed another notable scalp to go with the one already snatched from Real Madrid.