DOUGLAS COSTA snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo by stating Paulo Dybala is Juventus’ best player – but is he right?
The Brazilian winger, 29, is back in his homeland with the Serie A season currently suspended.
Douglas Costa made a bold claim when he said Paulo Dybala is Juventus’ best player
As well as getting in plenty of training sessions, he has also done some Instagram Lives with fans.
And asked by one follower who Juventus’ star man is, he had a shock answer as he ignored the five-time Champions League and Ballon d’Or winner.
Costa told AS: “The strongest partner is Paulino [Dybala].”
But judging by this season’s stats, it is 35-year-old Ronaldo who is still the main man.
The Portuguese hero has smashed in 25 goals in 32 appearances, with 21 in 22 in the league, and three assists.
By comparison, Dybala has managed 13 strikes and seven assists in his 34 matches, only 23 of which have been starts.
It means Ronaldo scrapes the battle for minutes per goal involvement with 101 to 104 but is well clear with his minutes-per-goal ratio.
However, Dybala does have a better record per 90 minutes in terms of touches (88 to 57), chances created (2.82 to 1.43) and dribbles completed (2.86 to 2.00).
And the ex-Palermo man actually boasts a better win percentage with 74 per cent to Ronaldo’s 72.
Despite the stats, Dybala and Ronaldo have formed a close bond since linking up for Juventus following the latter’s arrival from Real Madrid in 2018.
They even appeared to ‘kiss’ in January as the duo celebrated a goal created by Dybala and finished by the ex-Manchester United man.
But Dybala did not shy away from telling the his pal a few home truths, revealing Ronaldo is hated in Argentina.
He did admit, however, having got to know him personally, Ronaldo was a lot nicer and modest than the public’s perception.
Dybala, 26, said: “I said to him, ‘Cristiano, in Argentina, we hate you a bit because of your figure, because of how you are, of how you walk.
“‘The truth is that, you’ve surprised me because I’ve found you to be different.'”
Like many of his team-mates, Costa was granted permission to leave Italy, the original epicentre of Covid-19 in Europe, and headed home during the lockdown.
And he has been making the most of the extra free time with model girlfriend Nathalia Felix.
The pair have been delivering food together to those in need, paddle-boarding and even racing.
‘Flash’ may have been wearing flip flops and Nathalia driving a go-kart but it was the speedy wideman who won the race before he called out F1 driver Charles Leclerc.
Costa’s last match was a 2-0 win with Juventus over Inter Milan as the Old Lady kept their place at the top of the Serie A table.
And like everyone else, he is desperate for normal life to return as soon as possible as the boredom kicks in.
The star added: “I hope to return to Italy soon. I can’t wait to go back because I don’t know what to do here any more.”
Juventus star Douglas Costa wins race against go-kart driving girlfriend…wearing only flip flops
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
