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LONDON. — Cristiano Ronaldo signing for Juventus last year was a shot in the arm for the Italian Serie A football and bolstered the impression that the league is undergoing a renaissance Italy and AC Milan legend Franco Baresi has said.

Baresi, widely-considered to be one of the greatest ever defenders, said that Ronaldo’s arrival in Serie A was a clear statement the Italian championship is once again attracting star names.

Baresi, who won the European Cup/Champions League three times in his 20 years at Milan, added that it was good for European football that Serie A is becoming a force again.

“Yes, there is a renaissance in  Italian football, it is growing again,” said the 58-year-old Baresi, after appearing at the Betting on Football conference at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground.

“There is significantly more interest and the arrival of some great footballers like Ronaldo. “His signing is a very clear and positive signal. Italian football has always been at a high level but is growing again. “Italian teams are doing well in Europe again, so it is on the up.”

In the last six seasons, either Napoli or Roma have finished second in Serie A, but Baresi believes that only the two Milan clubs can hope to end the Juventus dominance. — AFP.