SUMMARY
- Previouly. Cristiano Ronaldo said that the Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1.
- Recently, Frank Leboeuf slammed Ronaldo for degrading Ligue 1.
Portugal international and Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo always manages to grab the headlines on the back of his consistent on-field performances. The iconic number seven has always expressed his thoughts regarding soccer lucidly and practically.
However, during the Globe Soccer Awards, Cristiano Ronaldo termed the Saudi Pro League to be “better” and “more competitive” than the French top-tier league, Ligue 1. Ever since the veteran laid out his thoughts comparing both leagues, a stir has been caused in the soccer hierarchy.
🚨 Cristiano Ronaldo: “Saudi League is not worst than Ligue1”.
“Saudi Pro League is more competitive than Ligue1, I can say that after one year spent there”.
🇫🇷 “We are better than French league already now”. pic.twitter.com/LUWdz1T2V5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 19, 2024
As per the recent reports, former Premier League club Chelsea’s player Frank Leboeuf had something to say about CR7’s opinion. Frank reportedly stated, “It annoys me when Cristiano Ronaldo is saying the Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1”. The legendary Blues defender further asserted the reason behind Ronaldo’s thoughts.
Frank Leboeuf expressed, “It’s because Lionel Messi played in Ligue 1”. Progressively, the 56-year-old inflicted, “I respect CR7. But come on, just shut up! It’s unfair to Ligue 1”. It seems pretty clear from Frank’s words that he feels CR7’s jibe toward Ligue 1 indulges something more than what appears to the naked eye.
Ligue 1 took a dig at Cristiano Ronaldo
On the same day at which Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo talked of the Saudi Pro League being “more competitive” in the Globe Soccer Awards, in return Ligue 1 took a fair shot at the legendary forward. The official ‘X’ (Twitter) handle of Ligue 1 put out two tweets that day, indirectly aimed towards CR7.
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 19, 2024
One of their tweets included a picture of Kylian Mbppe alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. The picture was from Ligue 1 club PSG’s win in a friendly encounter against CR7’s Al-Nassr. Another tweet induced a picture of Ronaldo’s biggest rival, Lionel Messi, playing for PSG. It can be inferred that the French Ligue pretty much replied to CR7 without being verbose.
Ligue 1 coach Paulo Fonseca disagrees with Cristiano Ronaldo
The Ligue 1 club LOSC Lille’s head coach, Paulo Fonseca, wasn’t quite on the same page as Cristiano Ronaldo. The 51-year-old veteran Portuguese manager seemed unconvinced by CR7 labeling the Saudi Pro League to be “better” than Ligue 1.
By the order of Paulo Fonseca 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/CnUBTCycqi
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 2, 2024
Paulo Fonseca reportedly asserted, “I don’t think it’s good what he (Ronaldo) said. I don’t want to make a comparison”. The Lille head coach further opined, “If he feels happy in Saudi Arabia, I’m happy for him”. Fonseca thought that certain things didn’t deserve answers, and according to him, CR7’s comparison of the Saudi League and Ligue 1 remains one of those things.
The Portuguese manager also inflicted upon CR7’s statements regarding both leagues that must be specifically understood by a set of “intelligent people”. From the words of Paulo Fonseca, it can be seen that, while not agreeing with Ronaldo’s words, he doesn’t want to intervene too much in the matter.