Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford was eventful for both the right and wrong reasons

Even after these many years it was, in the end, all about Ronaldo.

It’s been nearly a decade since Cristiano Ronaldo left Old Trafford for Real Madrid, sold by Manchester United for a world-record fee. He returned for the first time with his newish club Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday.

And, of course, he sent in the low cross that eventually fell for Paulo Dybala in the 17th minute, producing the only goal of an otherwise forgettable game. He also had his side’s two other choicest chances, a laser free kick and a rocket shot from outside the box, both barely parried by David de Gea. Juve’s away win, with an astonishing 60 percent of the possession, underscored once again United’s slow decline since Ronaldo’s departure.

The Portuguese, meanwhile, soared during nine seasons in the Spanish capital, winning the Champions League four times, the Ballon d’Dor four times and dragging Portugal to victory at Euro 2016. In the process, he fashioned himself into perhaps the second-greatest player of all time and one of the half-dozen most recognizable men in the world. He became a fixture in TV ads and earned eye-watering endorsement deals, like his billion-dollar “lifetime” contract with Nike. He was so famous he could be identified by two letters and a number – CR7.

But that very summer of 2009, as he was in the process of leaving United after posting one of the all-time best individual Premier League seasons, Ronaldo allegedly did something that’s come back to haunt him now, overshadowing his return.

Ronaldo was accused of rape by a woman, Kathryn Mayorga, in a Las Vegas hotel. She agreed to a payment for her silence and to drop any charges. Then, last month, she broke that silence, going public to Der Spiegel in painstaking detail and apparently backed by a file of supporting evidence. Then she filed a civil suit against the 33-year-old superstar. Local police have re-opened an investigation, making for an unpredictable and ongoing story.

Coverage of the case has been fairly circumspect, mostly for the lack of developments or evidence, since Der Spiegel has refused to make its documents on the case public or share them with other outlets. But it’s become a major headache for Ronaldo, Juventus, which had committed record-breaking figures to poaching Ronaldo from Real, and sponsors like Nike.

For weeks, Ronaldo’s only public comment, other than a strongly worded denial statement from his lawyers, had been to call the whole thing “fake news” in a video to his 143 million Instagram followers. On Monday, in a pre-game press conference, he finally elaborated.

“I know I am an example,” Ronaldo began, per the Guardian. “I know, 100 percent. On the pitch and outside the pitch. So I am always smiling, I am happy man, I’m blessed that I play in a fantastic club. I have a fantastic family, I have four kids, I am healthy. I have everything. So the rest, it doesn’t interfere on me. I’m very, very well.”

He stressed this fanciful notion that all is just peachy in his life when he was asked about the case a second time. “You didn’t listen to what I say,” Ronaldo said. “I am a happy man. We did the statement two weeks ago, if I’m not wrong. I am glad. Of course, I’m not going to lie in this situation, I’m very happy. My lawyers, they are confident and of course I am, too. The most important is I enjoy the football, I enjoy my life. The rest, I have people who take care of my life. Of course, the truth is always coming in the first position. So, I’m good.”

The “most important” thing is for Ronaldo to “enjoy the football,” to “enjoy his life.” Got it.

It’s the kind of hubris afforded by 15 years spent living a life of privilege, ever since Ronaldo first arrived in Manchester as an 18-year-old in 2003 and was handed the hallowed number 7 jersey. It’s worth noting here that he was also accused of rape in 2005, but that charges were dropped for a lack of evidence.

For now, there have been no consequences for Ronaldo, other than the stain on what was, until recently, his good name. His club backed him publicly, praising his “great professionalism and dedication, which is appreciated by everyone at Juventus,” on Twitter.

“The events allegedly dating back to almost 10 years ago do not change this opinion, which is shared by anyone who has come into contact with this great champion,” Juventus added, incomprehensibly doubling down on its support before any kind of investigation has been completed.

Ronaldo remains innocent until proven guilty. As well he should be. He may remain that way. For now, the Mayorga story just amounts to so many whispers behind the scenes, meant to cocoon Ronaldo’s famously delicate ego.

And so Ronaldo was free to roam about Old Trafford on Tuesday, seemingly taking delight in running with the ball a lot more than he usually does, reminding one and all of the dizzying winger who had left there on the brink of transcending the sport. Before it all changed.

Leander Schaerlaeckens is a Yahoo Sports soccer columnist and a sports communication lecturer at Marist College. Follow him on Twitter @LeanderAlphabet.