Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon claims Cristiano Ronaldo made the club 'lose their DNA' during his time in Italy.
Advert
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner joined Juventus in 2018 and spent three years at the Allianz Stadium before departing for Manchester United.
Buffon, who left that summer to joined Paris Saint-Germain, returned to Turin in 2019 and noticed there was a big change.
He told TUDN.com: “Juventus had the chance to win the Champions League the first year he arrived, which was the year I was at Paris Saint-Germain, and I couldn’t figure out what happened.
“When I returned, I worked with CR7 for two years and we did well together, but I think Juventus lost that DNA of being a team.
Advert
“We reached the Champions League final in 2017 because we were a side full of experience, but above all we were a single unit and there was this competition for places within the group that was very strong.
"We lost that with Ronaldo.”
Juventus reached the CL final in 2015 and 2017 under Max Allegri, losing to Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.
While Ronaldo was there however, they suffered humiliating exits at the hands of Ajax, Lyon and Porto while never making it past the quarter-finals.
Advert
Buffon isn't the first 'Old Lady' stalwart to criticise Ronaldo in recent months, with centre back duo Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci voicing their frustrations.
The 36-year-old is known as a specialist in the competition having won it five times in his illustrious career.
Juventus are struggling domestically this season, currently sitting fifth in Serie A and 12 points behind league leaders Inter Milan.
Advert
Ronaldo is back at United and has a respectable record of 13 goals in 18 games.
Six of those have come in the Champions League.
United and Juventus both topped their groups and will face Atletico Madrid and Sporting CP in the next round respectively.
Do you think Cristiano Ronaldo actually took Juventus backwards?
Advert
Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus