Ronaldo can help Serie A recapture former glory – Baptista
Juventus can help to restore Serie A's reputation as one of Europe's best leagues by signing Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Julio Baptista.
Former Real Madrid and Roma forward Julio Baptista believes Cristiano Ronaldo could help Serie A "get back to the level of the past" if his move to Juventus goes through.
Speculation over a transfer worth around €100 million to take the Portuguese star to Turin has increased since his country's elimination from the World Cup and Baptista said the capture of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner would be a coup for Italian football.
Baptista made the journey from Spain to Italy himself when he followed a three-year spell in Madrid with three seasons at the Stadio Olimpico and he said Ronaldo would be a good addition to Massimiliano Allegri's side.
"Serie A needs to change a few things to get back to the level of the past," Baptista told reporters. "Cristiano is a great player so it [Serie A] will improve, definitely.
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"I think a few changes are needed to improve Serie A. It is not as good as it was 15 or 20 years ago.
"Juventus would have a stronger team with Cristiano, more competitive, they would have an advantage. We will have to see, but it's a really good signing."
Ronaldo is Madrid's all-time leading goalscorer, having netted 450 goals in nine seasons at Santiago Bernabeu, and Baptista said the club would struggle to replace the 33-year-old forward.
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"For Madrid it would be a very big loss," he said.
"As much as people can say what they want about Cristiano, he has been a player who has left a tremendous mark on Madrid and the Spanish league as well.
"He has the best records in the league and in Madrid."