Cristiano Ronaldo has doubled down on his sensational claim at the start of 2024 that the Saudi Pro League was better than Ligue 1.
The Portuguese legend was speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards, where he was once again honoured, this time round picking up the Best Middle East player 2024 gong.
Ronaldo moved to the Middle East and Saudi Arabia when he signed for Al-Nassr at the start of 2023, and has gone on to inspire a mass exodus of talent from Europe to the Saudi Pro League.
As such, Ronaldo had claimed earlier this year that the quality of the division was now superior to that of the French top-flight, and took the opportunity on Friday night to underline that hypothesis.
‘Saudi League is better than Ligue 1, of course. France only has PSG. The rest are finished.
‘Try to sprint in 38, 39, 40 degree weather and see…’
Cristiano Ronaldo doubled down on his criticisms of the French top-flight on Friday evening
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner won the Best Middle East Player of 2024 award on Friday
His Al-Nassr trail leaders Al-Ittihad by 11 points, and are currently fourth in the Saudi Pro League
He added: ‘It is difficult to become champion in Saudi. This year Al-Hilal are better, Al-Ittihad are top of the league, but I believe that we have to push hard to be champions.
‘I’ve been champion everywhere I have (played) and I believe I will be champion, but I’ve won this trophy for scoring so many goals and assists and maintaining my level.’
Since moving to Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are yet to win the Saudi top-flight, with leaders Al-Ittihad some 11 points ahead of Ronaldo and Co, who are down in fourth.
The French league is considered one of the top five divisions in Europe, along with the Premier League, Germany’s Bundesliga, Serie A of Italy and the Spanish LaLiga.
Yet of the five, Ligue 1 is by many considered to be the weakest. Only one French side has ever won the Champions League or European Cup (Marseille in 1993).
By comparison the other four have produced numerous victories; Spain lead the way (20), followed by England (15), Italy (12) and Germany (8), with France way down in seventh place behind Netherlands (6) and Portugal (4).
‘The Saudis are in a process that will take long, but step by step, we will reach the highest level,’ Ronaldo said back in January 2024.
‘I believe they are going to be in the top three or four in the world. Step by step, I think we are going to reach that.
Ronaldo’s move to the Saudi Pro League saw a number of famous faces move from Europe
The 39-year-old suggested that other than PSG there are no massive clubs in France
‘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.’
Ronaldo’s appearance on Friday night also saw him discuss the current situation at his former club Manchester United.
After a part takeover from Sir Jim Ratcliffe was completed 12 months ago, United are yet to truly push on and return to the top of the pile.
A managerial change earlier this season brought Ruben Amorim to the hot seat, and after a bright start the head coach has suffered three consecutive defeats in a period characterised by stringent cost-cutting measures.
Speaking on Friday, Ronaldo hinted a significant overhaul would be required for the club to return to its former glory.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group assumed control of football operations at United 12 months ago
But results on the pitch are yet to improve, with the club in the midst of their worst-ever Premier League start
Ronaldo insisted the should could not be pointed at his former Portugal team-mate Ruben Amorim
‘They need, I said this one year and a half ago, and I will continue to say it: The problem is not the coaches, it’s like… I always give this example… it’s like an aquarium.
‘If you have the fish inside and he’s sick and you take him out and you fix the problem and you put him again in an aquarium you will be sick again.
‘The problem of Manchester United is the same. The problem is not always the coach. It’s much more than that.’
In addition to highlighting the issues that he believes have caused the club to stagnate in recent years, Ronaldo also made the bold claim that he personally could straighten the issues out.
He continued: ‘If I will be the owner of the club, I will make things clear and adjust things that are bad there.’
