Cuadrado defends move from Juventus to Inter, claims club broke promise
Quick summary
Juan Cuadrado says he did not betray Juventus by joining rivals Inter Milan, claiming the Turin club broke a promise to renew his contract before he moved on a free transfer.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceJuan Cuadrado denies he ‘betrayed’ Juventus by crossing over to rivals Inter as a free agent. ‘I didn’t want to leave, they broke their promise.’
The Colombia international first came to Italian football for Udinese in 2009, also having spells with Lecce, Fiorentina and Chelsea until joining Juventus in 2015.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 20: Luka Jovic of AC Milan is challenged by Isak Hien and Juan Cuadrado of Atalanta during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) When his contract was allowed to expire in the summer of 2023, he shocked many by deciding to cross over to their bitter rivals Inter.
Cuadrado wanted to stay at Juventus BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 01: Juan Cuadrado of Atalanta BC looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Venezia FC at Gewiss Stadium on March 01, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) “I was a free agent after eight years, and many people considered it a betrayal when I moved to Inter,” Cuadrado told DSports.
“However, when you are out of work, you need to seek other options. Besides, I didn’t want to leave Juventus, they had offered me a new contract, and then broke their promise.”
It was not a particularly fruitful experience at San Siro, and he went on to play for Atalanta, then last season represented Pisa.
Now Cuadrado is again a free agent, but the club he feels represents his career the most is Juve.
“I was the captain, I made history for Juventus with over 300 games, a figure even many Italian players never managed to achieve. I see that and I feel proud.”
He has no intention of hanging up his boots just yet, and confirmed a few different offers are on the table.
“I received offers MLS, the Mexican League, and one from Europe, but we’re waiting to see what happens. When I talked to my wife about coming back to play in Colombia, she wasn’t entirely on board, so I also have to think about what’s best for my family.”
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What happened
Juan Cuadrado has publicly addressed his departure from Juventus to Inter Milan, rejecting the notion that he betrayed the club. The Colombian winger/full-back insists Juventus broke a promise regarding his contract renewal, leaving him little choice but to join their fiercest rivals on a free transfer. The move was met with controversy given the deep rivalry between the two clubs, but Cuadrado maintains he acted with respect and professionalism throughout. His switch adds experience and versatility to Inter's squad ahead of the new season.
Chance analysis
A free transfer of a versatile veteran between Serie A's two biggest clubs is always significant, even if Cuadrado is past his peak years. His public justification reveals tension in Juventus's renewal process, which could reflect broader squad-management issues. For Inter, adding a player familiar with Serie A's demands at zero cost is a low-risk, moderate-reward move. Rivalry dynamics mean this transfer will carry extra narrative weight in the Derby d'Italia.
Inter gain an experienced, versatile squad option; Juventus lose a long-serving veteran to a direct rival, with potential morale implications among fans.
Monitor Cuadrado's minutes and role at Inter; if used as a rotation option, his impact on Inter's output will be limited but he remains a useful depth piece.