Lazio sporting director Igli Tare believes Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival is “important for the image" of Serie A, but warns it's “the most difficult in the world”.
The Ballon d’Or joined Juventus from Real Madrid this summer in a €100m transfer, and made his debut against Chievo on Saturday.
“The arrival of Ronaldo in Italy is extremely important,” Tare told sport1.
Lazio sporting director Igli Tare believes Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival is “important for the image" of Serie A, but warns it's “the most difficult in the world”.
The Ballon d’Or joined Juventus from Real Madrid this summer in a €100m transfer, and made his debut against Chievo on Saturday.
“The arrival of Ronaldo in Italy is extremely important,” Tare told sport1.
“I see his arrival as very positive. It’s triggered something incredible in Italy, all the best Italian clubs have taken risks this summer to do transfers to compete both domestically and internationally.
“Ronaldo is important for the image of the league. We’re talking about a player with very high quality, this transfer is definitely a boost for Italian football.
“Is it a step back for CR7? For pity’s sake, no! Juventus is an absolutely world-class club, they’ve reached the Champions League final twice in four years.
“The Portuguese is still at an age where he can best express his football and wants to succeed in one of the best leagues in the world.
“That’s his objective and I take my hat off to him, but the Italian league is the most difficult in the world.”
Tare also discussed the general state of Serie A.
“The crisis in Italy began in 2006. The problem was the scandals, they dragged on for too long. There was a similar problem in Germany with betting, but they solved it quickly because they didn’t want the image of the Bundesliga to be jeopardised.
“In Italy the judicial process is very slow and it takes a long time to resolve problems. That meant the image of the country and of Serie A suffered.
“Now things are changing with new figures who are entering our league, like at the Milan clubs. There’s also Roma, who have an American owner, who has invested a lot in the club.
“The quality of Coaches and players has always been there, it’s just that the league lost its appeal.
“In the past three or four years things have improved and the league has recovered from the scandals of the past.
“The level of the league is very high again, because many teams have strengthened, but it’ll still take time to return to stratospheric levels.
“We need to invest in young people, but the Italian league will regain its lustre in the coming years.”