Juventus Confirms Adrien Rabiot's Exit; Thiago Motta Eyes Future Talents

Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has confirmed that midfielder Adrien Rabiot has departed the club ahead of the 2024-25 Serie A season. Rabiot, who played for France in their Euro 2024 semi-final run, made 212 appearances for Juventus since joining from Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.

Rabiot's departure marks a significant moment for Juventus. The 29-year-old featured in 35 matches last season under Massimiliano Allegri, contributing to Juventus' 15th Coppa Italia title. He became the fifth Frenchman to reach 200 appearances for the club, ranking third among all-time French appearance makers at Juventus alongside Zinedine Zidane.

Thiago Motta was appointed as Juventus' new head coach last month after leading Bologna to a club record of 68 points in Serie A and securing Champions League qualification for the first time. Addressing the media for the first time since his appointment, Motta expressed optimism about Juventus' future success.

"I was convinced that Juventus has a great environment and I'm happy to have the best facilities at my disposal," said Motta. "Then we hope to play as many games as possible. The goal is always to win and I know I have a big responsibility."

Giuntoli expressed gratitude towards Rabiot during Thiago Motta's first press conference as head coach. "I want to thank Adrien Rabiot and wish him well for the future," Giuntoli stated. "Thank you for everything and good luck for the future, Adrien!"

Motta emphasised his commitment to his new role, stating, "I would never change my coaching position here for anyone else. The past was a pleasure, but we don't have to think about it any more." He added that he is focused on what lies ahead with a desire to prove that Juventus can challenge any team.

Motta also highlighted the importance of healthy competition within the squad. "There will be 23-24 starters in the first team; there will be healthy competition for starting places," he said. He believes this competition will drive performance and help achieve their goals.

Rabiot's tenure at Juventus saw him become one of the club's most reliable players. Only Michel Platini (224) and David Trezeguet (320) have made more appearances among French players at Juventus. His contributions were instrumental in various successes over his five-year stint.

Motta concluded by stressing a positive approach to the upcoming season despite numerous commitments. "We don't want alibis linked to our many commitments, but we will have a positive approach to the season and the many games we will play," he said.

The next generation of players is expected to play a crucial role in Juventus' strategy moving forward. Motta mentioned, "The next gen will give us a big hand." This indicates an emphasis on integrating younger talent into the first team.

As Juventus prepares for another challenging season, both Giuntoli and Motta are optimistic about their prospects. With new leadership and fresh talent, they aim to reclaim their status as Serie A champions.