- Cristiano Ronaldo claimed the Saudi Pro League is superior to Ligue 1, stating that only Paris Saint-Germain remains competitive in France
- His comments at the Globe Soccer Awards sparked controversy, as he emphasized the harsh conditions of playing in Saudi Arabia
Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Al-Nassr, has claimed that Saudi Arabia’s professional league outshines France’s Ligue 1.
The football icon, formerly of Real Madrid and Manchester United, recently shared his opinion, once again ranking his current league above Europe’s top five competitions.
At the 15th Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo reportedly said (via Get French Football): “The Saudi League is better than Ligue 1, of course. France only has Paris Saint-Germain. The rest are finished.”
This isn’t the first time Ronaldo has voiced such criticism. At the 14th Globe Soccer Awards, he expressed a similar sentiment about Ligue 1.
His remarks have sparked backlash from Portuguese manager Paulo Fonseca, then coaching Lille OSC. Fonseca noted that Ronaldo has never played in the French league, challenging the basis of his claims.
Interestingly, Ligue 1 clubs like Lille and Stade Brestois are in automatic qualification spots for this season’s UEFA Champions League phase.
This performance continues to highlight the competitiveness within the French league.
