Ronaldo courts Netherlands defender De Ligt for Juventus

Posted June 10, 2019 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, jumps for the ball with Netherlands' Matthijs de Ligt during the UEFA Nations League final soccer match between Portugal and Netherlands at the Dragao stadium in Porto, Portugal, Sunday, June 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) The Associated Press

PORTO, Portugal (AP) - Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt says Cristiano Ronaldo wants him to become his new teammate at Italian club Juventus.

Dutch media are reporting that De Ligt said Ronaldo asked him if he was "coming to Turin" after they faced off in the UEFA Nations League final on Sunday. Portugal beat the Netherlands 1-0.

De Ligt says he laughed off the comment, adding that so shortly after losing the final "you are disappointed that you have lost and that is the only thing you are thinking about."

The 19-year-old De Ligt is one of soccer's top prospects for the transfer window after helping Ajax reach the Champions League semifinals. He also scored in the Netherlands 3-2 win over England in the semifinals of the Nations League.

Barcelona is reportedly also interested in De Ligt. The Spanish club has already signed midfielder Frenkie de Jong, De Ligt's teammate with both Ajax and the Netherlands.

De Ligt, who is under contract with Ajax until the end of the 2020-21 season, has not said what his plans are.

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Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, duels for the ball with Netherlands' Matthijs de Ligt during the UEFA Nations League final soccer match between Portugal and Netherlands at the Dragao stadium in Porto, Portugal, Sunday, June 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Luis Vieira) The Associated Press

Netherlands' Matthijs de Ligt keeps above Portugal's Bernardo Silva to head the ball during the UEFA Nations League final soccer match between Portugal and Netherlands at the Dragao stadium in Porto, Portugal, Sunday, June 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Armando Franca) The Associated Press

Portugal's Bernardo Silva, right, jumps for the ball with Netherlands' Matthijs de Ligt during the UEFA Nations League final soccer match between Portugal and Netherlands at the Dragao stadium in Porto, Portugal, Sunday, June 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Luis Vieira) The Associated Press

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