Who would have thought Cristiano Ronaldo could become Serie A's assist king?
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was brought in by Juventus management to add greater firepower to their front line, and it turns out he has no problem aiding his teammates in scoring and stealing the limelight from him.
The Portuguese superstar did not get on the score-sheet against league rivals Napoli on Saturday, but bagged a hat-trick of assists to help Juventus to a 3-1 comeback win.
With three goals and four assists to his name, Ronaldo topped the league assists chart and is directly involved in more goals in Serie A this season than any other player.
"Ronaldo did very well today and he created many clear-cut chances for us," Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.
"I think this was his best match of the season."
Mario Mandzukic (L) embraces Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring his opener during the clash between Juventus and Napoli, September 29, 2018. /VCG Photo
The Bianconeri No.7 was indeed almost unplayable throughout the tensely contested top-of-the-table clash.
Napoli had been the superior side in the early stages and made their dominance count through Dries Mertens' tap-in. However, Ronaldo turned the game decisively in the hosts' favor with a trio of brilliant assists.
First, he escaped his marker Elseid Hysaj and sent in a pinpoint cross for Mandzukic to nod in the leveler, and then on the edge of the area he launched a vicious strike that deflected off the post with Mandzukic again knocking in the rebound.
Napoli threatened an equalizer with a couple of scintillating counter-attacks but Ronaldo stepped out and put the outcome beyond all doubt when he rose highest to head a late corner into the path of Leonardo Bonucci to wrap up the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo clenches his fist in celebration during Juventus' win over Napoli, September 29, 2018. /VCG Photo
Despite maintaining a perfect start to the season, Allegri was still downplaying the brilliance of his Juventus side, saying: "After this, we still have to play Inter, Milan, Roma and Fiorentina."
However, with Ronaldo in such ferocious mood, who could possibly stop the defending Italian champions from cantering to their eighth consecutive league title?
End of an era
After the Ronaldo euphoria subsided, a surprise announcement surfaced late Saturday night as Juventus chief executive Giuseppe Marotta confirmed he will leave his roles with the team after eight years in Turin.
"My mandate as chief executive comes to an end on Oct. 25 and the list of board members, which will be presented on Monday, will not contain my name," said Marotta.
"For the time being I will remain in place as chief executive but I wanted to make this statement in order to avoid any speculation. I will assess my position along with the club president in the coming days.
Giuseppe Marotta is one of the architects of Juventus' recent successes. /VCG Photo
"I've had eight wonderful years here, full of success, and Juventus will always remain in my heart."
Marotta has overseen the best spells of the Italian giants' illustrious history, with seven Serie A titles, four straight Coppa Italia triumphs and two runners-up finishes in the Champions League under his reign.
Rumors swirled that the 61-year-old could take over the presidency of the Italian FA but he ruled out such a move by telling Sky Sport Italia: "I can categorically exclude the report I will be a candidate for the FIGC Presidency. That is not an experience that interests me."