Maldini, who spent 25 seasons in the Milan first-team, has now offered his take on the what will happen in Serie A after Ronaldo’s arrival.
"We don’t have the same investments that we used to have in the league as we did in the '90s and early 2000s," Maldini told Joe.co.uk.
"Cristiano’s move will have a big impact on how people view Serie A now: players, sponsors, supporters.
"He has been one of the best footballers in the world for a long, long time and he wants to be here so others will follow.
"Over the last year, we’ve seen growing interest in the league again.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Paolo Maldini makes prediction after Real Madrid to Juventus transfer (Image: GETTY)
"Roma were in the semi-finals of the Champions League against Liverpool and put up a great fight in the second leg.
"Napoli pushed Juventus for the title with wonderful football and it felt like the start of something.
"Cristiano adds to that and now there have been more eyes on our transfer market.
"I think there are quite a few teams in the world that don’t have crazy budgets or the financial power of super clubs to do a move like this, but they operate smart.
"And Italians are very smart, so we must use our knowledge."
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Cristiano Ronaldo: Paolo Maldini makes prediction after Real Madrid to Juventus transfer (Image: GETTY)
Ronaldo is seen as the final piece of the jigsaw that Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri needs to guide his side to Champions League glory.
Maldini says Milan’s great rivals are in a strong position to build on two finals appearances in the past four years.
"They’ve been in the final two times and been beaten by Barcelona and Real Madrid, who have been the best teams in the last two decades so there’s no shame in that," Maldini added.
"The margin between winning and losing can be very, very small.
"The moves they’ve made in this window, especially signing Cristiano and bringing back Leonardo Bonucci, they are not young, but both are very ready to win.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Paolo Maldini makes prediction after Real Madrid to Juventus transfer (Image: GETTY)
Cristiano Ronaldo: Paolo Maldini makes prediction after Real Madrid to Juventus transfer (Image: GETTY)
Cristiano Ronaldo: Paolo Maldini makes prediction after Real Madrid to Juventus transfer (Image: GETTY)
"And that’s what Juventus need right now in Europe to make that final step.
"The other teams maybe aren’t really in the same situation and will focus more on a younger profile, but this is what Juventus believe will help them.
"Actually, it will be good for their young players too.
"I grew up so fast by having more experienced players next to me.