On July 23, a titbit was going the rounds in the cybersphere revealing that Juventus were celebrating their 3000 consecutive days as Italian champions. For the past eight seasons, the Serie A giants have never been dethroned as the most formidable king. 

Three days later, that elevated status became even more admirable as Maurizio Sarri's side brushed aside Sampdoria 2-0, securing the record-extending ninth straight Serie A title. 

Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 31st goal of the season deep into first half stoppage time at an empty Juventus Stadium, with Federico Bernardeschi sealing the clash with a wonder strike  just after the hour mark. 

Ronaldo missed the chance to put the icing on the cake as he struck a penalty against the crossbar, but a comfortable win on Sunday was enough to take them seven points clear of second-placed Inter, who had to give up on the title with only two  games to spare. 

The only blemish is the double injuries of defender Danilo and striker Paulo Dybala, who limped off the pitch with a muscular problem early in the match. 

A title-winning machine

Juventus are one of three European teams to be on a run of nine titles in a row, alongside Celtic in Scotland and Ludogorets Razgrad of Bulgaria. 

According to BBC statistics, the world record for consecutive league titles is thought to be Tafea, who won the Vanuatu league for 15 seasons in a row (1994 to 2009), while Gibraltar's Lincoln Red Imps and the now dissolved Skonto of Latvia have the European record with 14 in a row. 

Lyon won seven French titles in a row (between 2002 and 2008), while Real Madrid have won five consecutive Spanish titles twice and Huddersfield, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are the only teams to win three in a row in England. Within Europe's top five leagues, Juventus' 36 titles is a record. 

Meanwhile, OPTA statistics shows that the 61-year-old Sarri surpassed Nils Liedholm (60 years and 219 days) to become the oldest coach to win the Italian topflight. The center-back Giorgio Chiellini has also become the only Juventus player to have made at least one appearance in each of  their past nine Serie A title successes. 

Next up for Juventus will be the crucial knockout stages of the Champions League after finishing the remaining two domestic fixtures against Cagliari and Roma. On August 7, they will host French side Lyon in Turin, looking to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit.

A special trophy in crisis 

Juventus, who have been fiercely slammed for their inconsistent form, have emerged triumphant in a long-winding season that saw the Italian league put on hold for three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

"It is the most beautiful success, even the most difficult because we wanted it and suffered," said defender Leonardo Bonucci. "We started on a new path with a lot of scepticism around us, we gave everything, despite some slip-ups." 

"It was a complicated year for everyone in the world, it was difficult to return after so many months not playing," he added. 

Bonucci then dedicated the title to Juventus fans who were victims of the coronavirus. "It's for those who left us and cheered for us from up above," he said. "It's been an intense year. But we stayed together as a team." 

The emotion was shared by Ronaldo, who said on Instagram: "This title is dedicated to all Juventus fans, in particular to those who have suffered and are suffering from the pandemic that has taken us all by surprise by overturning the world." 

"It was not easy. Your courage, your attitude and your determination were the strength we needed to face this tight final of the championship and fight to the end for this title that belongs to all of Italy. A big hug to you all," the five-time Ballon d'Or winner added.