Cristiano Ronaldo recently made a noteworthy comment regarding Lionel Messi’s decision to join Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, contrasting it with his own move to the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo, who signed a lucrative contract with Al-Nassr last year, implied that the Saudi League is superior to MLS. When asked about a potential future switch to MLS, Ronaldo dismissed the idea, stating that the Saudi League is “better.”
Following Al Nassr’s 5-0 loss to LaLiga side Celta Vigo in a friendly held in Portugal, Ronaldo addressed the media, remarking, “I opened the way to the Saudi league, and now all the players are coming here.” Ronaldo was the first prominent European player to join the Saudi League, but this year, several other top stars such as Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Neves, and Roberto Firmino have also made their way to the Middle Eastern league, signing with various clubs. It is anticipated that more high-profile players will follow suit and sign contracts with Gulf clubs before the transfer window closes.
Ronaldo expressed his confidence in the Saudi League’s future, asserting that within a year, it will surpass leagues like the Turkish and Dutch leagues. Furthermore, he dismissed the possibility of returning to a European club, claiming that, apart from the Premier League, most leagues on the continent have lost their allure. Ronaldo praised the Premier League as the only one that has maintained its quality and competitiveness.
Looking ahead, Ronaldo is scheduled to face Benfica in a friendly match as part of Al-Nassr’s preparations. He shared his plans, stating, “The plan was for me to play 45 minutes today. Against Benfica, I might play 60 or 70 minutes. It is better to gradually fine-tune my form and reach my peak performance.”
