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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Samuel Meade

Dusan Vlahovic responds to taking Cristiano Ronaldo's No.7 shirt at Juventus

Dusan Vlahovic insists he knew what he was taking on when he assumed Cristiano Ronaldo's No 7 shirt at Juventus.

The Serbian forward, linked with Arsenal for much of January, made a recent switch from Fiorentina to the Old Lady.

Vlahovic enjoyed a phenomenal 2021, equalling Ronaldo's Serie A record for goals in a calendar year.

It caught the attention of several clubs around Europe but it was Juventus who won the race for his signature.

The Italian side allowed Ronaldo to depart for Manchester United in the summer, leaving a sizeable void in their squad.

Vlahovic's arrival will go someway to plugging that and the forward had no reservations about taking on the No 7.

He said: “I know the weight of the number 7 shirt, but all Juve shirts weigh heavy. I am here to help my teammates and make myself available: only all together can we achieve our goals.

Have Your Say! Were Arsenal right to let Aubameyang leave on a free? Tell us here.

"What counts is how we get on the pitch, not so much the numbers on the shirts.”

Juventus currently sit fifth in Serie A - 11 points off the top.

The Bianconeri finally saw their domestic dominance ended last term and are in the midst of a transition with Max Allegri returning to the dugout.

Vlahovic was fired home 20 goals this season already.

He had a previous exchange with Ronaldo when the pair were on international duty as Serbia secured a late win in Portugal.

“I went to him and in that moment, understandably, he was very nervous and angry,” Vlahovic told Serbian outlet Telegraf.

“The only thing he said to me, as is more or less well known, was that the goal in Belgrade should have been allowed, that this maybe turned everything around and that was that, generally speaking.

"I wished him luck in the playoffs and said that they will go through because they have one of the best players in the world.”

The Juventus new boy has also claimed opting to move to Turin was "easy" despite clear interest from Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta was desperate to bring in a new forward but ultimately failed to secure any of his targets.

Vlahovic said: “Choosing Juve was easy. In Juve’s DNA there is the desire to win, to never give up and fight until the end, even when there is suffering.

"This is also my mentality and therefore the choice was easy.

“My goal is to settle into the Coach’s plans as soon as possible, then get to know and create a friendship, I would say a familiar relationship, with all my teammates and all the people who work for Juve. I think this is a key aspect.”

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