Former AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta believes that Serie A is falling behind the other top leagues in Europe.
After spending 10 years with the Rossoneri, the 37-year-old left last summer to join Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact.
Nesta spoke to the BBC’s World Football programme and claimed that most players leave Serie A for the chance at making more money.
“There’s no money in Italy at the moment and the best players go to play in other leagues – Spain, England, Germany. Italy’s going down,” said the veteran.
He then noted that he wasn’t expecting Juventus to land Carlos Tevez, who they’ve recently signed for around €14 million.
“It’s a very good signing. A player like Tevez, I didn’t think would play in Serie A now. Juventus did a good job.”
The player also commented on Real Madrid’s hiring of ex-Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti and praised his former boss.
“He is the best coach for Madrid,” he continued. “Madrid is a difficult place to coach. There’s a lot of pressure and Ancelotti is very good when he’s under pressure.
“[Silvio] Berlusconi and [Adriano] Galliani, all the time, wanted the best for the team. The pressure was very, very hard but Carlo Ancelotti, everyday, had a smile. He was perfect.”
Alessandro Nesta was a part of Italy’s victorious 2006 World Cup squad and is regarded as one of football’s greatest centre backs ever. He is expected to retire at the end of the current MLS season and venture into a coaching career.
