"Juventus lost that DNA of being a team" – When Gianluigi Buffon explained how Serie A giants suffered after Cristiano Ronaldo signing

Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon had once opened up on how the Bianconeri regressed after adding Cristiano Ronaldo to their ranks in the summer of 2018.

Ronaldo, who is plying his trade at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, guided Real Madrid to the UEFA Champions League crown and three other trophies in the 2017-18 season. He joined the Bianconeri in a €117 million move soon afterwards.

In his maiden season at Juventus, the 39-year-old lifted the Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana crown. He guided the Bianconeri to the Champions League quarter-finals, netting 28 goals and providing 11 assists in 43 overall outings.

Speaking previously to TUDN, Buffon opined on Juventus' failure to lift the Champions League in the 2018-19 campaign and claimed that Ronaldo was a key reason. He said (h/t Metro):

"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 [him] for two years and we did well together, but I think Juventus lost that DNA of being a team."

Buffon, who played alongside the Portuguese striker 26 times, added:

"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."

After helping his side win two trophies in the 2018-19 season, the Al-Nassr forward guided the Bianconeri to three more silverwares. He scored 101 goals and laid out 22 assists in 134 overall games for the Italian outfit before leaving in 2021.

Cristiano Ronaldo hailed by Portugal defender

Manchester United star Diogo Dalot has claimed that playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo is his best achievement in his career. He said (h/t Daily Post):

"It's actually scary, to be honest, because you always have that feeling of not wanting to get disappointed about meeting your idols, but it was even better than I expected which surprised me because I was a little bit scared to know him. But fortunately, he is a great guy and a great human being, so it was really great to know him. For me, it's probably the thing I'm most proud of in my career."

Dalot, 25, has shared the football pitch with the veteran 61 times so far.

Meanwhile, the Portugal star will next be in action in Manchester United's away league match at current leaders Liverpool on Sunday (January 5).