“He’s a complete player” - Former Juventus forward Emanuele Giaccherini says 20-year-old star reminds him of Cristiano Ronaldo

Former Juventus star Emanuele Giaccherini has claimed that Kenan Yildiz reminds him of Cristiano Ronaldo. He believes that the 20-year-old is a complete player and makes the difference on the pitch.

Speaking to DAZN, Giaccherini backed Yildiz to be a success at Juventus, adding that the Turkish star has changed his approach on the pitch to help the team. He believes that the transition has been similar to Ronaldo's and said (via Tuttosport):

"Yildiz is changing his style of play because his characteristics are also changing. Last season, Yildiz used to dribble more; now he’s more of a striker. He reminds me a bit of Cristiano Ronaldo. For me, he’s a complete player. He’s certainly a top-notch player. He makes the difference and is as decisive as he was in the Champions League (against Bodo/Glimt)."

Kenan Yildiz joined Juventus in 2022 after a season at Bayern Munich with their youth team. He has been a key part of the first team in the last three seasons, after getting his first call-up in 2023.

Cristiano Ronaldo played three seasons at Juventus after moving from Real Madrid in 2018. The Portuguese superstar was signed for €100 million and eventually sold to Manchester United in 2021, for a reported €15 million.

Cristiano Ronaldo's signing ruined Juventus DNA, says Buffon

Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this year, claiming that the signing ruined the club's DNA. He believes that they were not playing as a team after the Portuguese superstar joined and told TUDN (via Daily Sabah):

"Juventus had the chance to win the Champions League the first year he arrived, which was the year I was at Paris Saint-Germain, and I couldn't figure out what happened. When I returned, I worked with Ronaldo for two years and we did well together, but I think Juventus lost that DNA of being a team."

"We reached the Champions League final in 2017 because we were a side full of experience, but above all, we were a single unit and there was this competition for places within the group that was very strong. We lost that with Ronaldo."

Cristiano Ronaldo played 134 matches for Juventus, scoring 101 goals and assisting 28 times. He won the Serie A title twice and the Supercoppa Italiana as many times, while adding the Coppa Italia title once during his short stay at the Italian club from 2018 to 2021.