SUMMARY
- According to Cristiano Ronaldo, the Saudi Pro League currently performs at a higher level than Ligue 1 in France.
- When asked about the quality of the Saudi Arabian League during his speech at the Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo quickly stated that it was superior to Ligue 1.
Throughout his professional soccer career, Cristiano Ronaldo has consistently been among the best, and he is a fierce competitor. He is not one to let things go easy, even at 38 years old, and he recently expressed strong opinions over the comparison between the French League and the Saudi Pro League.
According to Cristiano Ronaldo, the Saudi Pro League currently performs at a higher level than Ligue 1 in France. When asked about the quality of the Saudi Arabian League during his speech at the Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo quickly stated that it was superior to Ligue 1. He declared:
🇸🇦 “Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue1”, Cristiano Ronaldo says. pic.twitter.com/nTCfGaeA3T
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 19, 2024
“The level right now? To be honest, I think the Saudi league is not worse than France’s league in my opinion. In the French league, I think you have two-three teams with a good level. In Saudi, I think it is more competitive. They can say what they want. This is just my opinion and I have played there for one year, so I know what I’m talking about. But I think right now we are better than France’s league.”
Paris Saint-Germain reportedly turned down the opportunity to capture Cristiano Ronaldo when the chance was given to them in 2022. According to sources, the French powerhouses were again offered the chance to sign him in 2021 when he was trying to leave Juventus, but they chose to sign Lionel Messi instead.
Ligue 1 fire back towards Cristiano Ronaldo’s claims
Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have received backlash from Ligue 1’s official X (previously Twitter) account following his remarks suggesting that the Saudi Pro League (SPL) is superior to Ligue 1. Cristiano Ronaldo made a bold claim at the Globe Soccer awards ceremony in Dubai regarding the two leagues.
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) January 19, 2024
The official X account for Ligue 1 shared a picture of PSG player Kylian Mbappe clutching Ronaldo’s face shortly after the latter’s remarks. The image appears from a January 2023 friendly between PSG and Al-Nassr, which the French team won 5–4.
Ronaldo’s longtime opponent on the field, Lionel Messi, spent two seasons playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in France before moving to Inter Miami in 2023. In contrast, “CR7” has spent his professional career playing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Portugal, England, and Italy.
Cristiano Ronaldo reveals why he chose the Saudi League
During the Globe Soccer Awards, Cristiano Ronaldo was questioned over his choice to join Al-Nassr in 2022. He thought it was a wise decision, particularly in light of the significant changes it has resulted in in Saudi Arabian soccer, where elite players and coaches have followed suit.
Cristiano Ronaldo..
“Keep supporting Al Nassr & Cristiano Siuuuu”
Love him so much 🥹pic.twitter.com/VW86kvo19q
— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) January 19, 2024
He said, “So my move, I think it was a good move. I feel so happy. Many players moved there. Now coaches, directors, even nutritionists are moving there. The Saudis are in a process that will take long, but step by step, we will reach the highest level.”
After a full year, Ronaldo helped Al-Nassr triumph in the Arab Club Champions Cup. Over 44 games, he has 38 goals and 13 assists for the Knights of Najd. Two teams in the Saudi Pro League are also presently undefeated for the league championship. With 19 games completed, Al-Hilal, who has not lost, leads the table with 53 points.