Paratici on CR7's Transfer: "We Earned Him. His Presence Raised Ticket Prices for Everyone"

Fabio Paratici, the sporting director of Fiorentina, recently spoke at an event in Forte dei Marmi, discussing various aspects of his career. He revisited the monumental acquisition of Cristiano Ronaldo during his tenure at Juventus, an event that marked a significant moment for both him and Italian football. Paratici stated, "It was, and it's also thanks to the caliber of the player, who helped us elevate our brand. We earned Cristiano Ronaldo over the years by winning Scudetti, reaching two Champions League finals, and by acquiring and selling many great players. The 11 years at Juventus are hard to replicate. With Ronaldo on the field, even in away games, the stadiums were full, and the host clubs had the opportunity to raise ticket prices precisely because he was playing."

When asked about the challenges of working in Florence with the intense passion of the fans, Paratici expressed his gratitude: "I must thank the Florentines because we were welcomed very warmly. I don't believe it's a difficult place to work. I've had the opportunity to work abroad as well, and I don't think any place is truly easy. If you study and keep updating yourself, things will go well, and if you involve others, they will go even better. We need to make people dream, and they should come to the stadium hoping to see the team win and hoping to be excited."

Addressing the growing trend of foreign ownership in football clubs, Paratici offered his perspective: "They think differently. Years ago, there were fewer, but it's increasing. This trend isn't limited to football but extends to other sports as well. We need to help these clubs adapt to our country, seeking to support them. They bring a broader mindset because they view football differently. We Italians tend to focus solely on the result, while they concentrate on infrastructure and much more."