The modern era of football has witnessed the extraordinary achievements of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two of the game’s greatest icons. While the debate over who is the best player may have seemingly been settled by Messi’s recent World Cup triumph in Qatar, Ronaldo’s latest statement suggests a different perspective.
Ronaldo, who currently plies his trade in the lucrative Saudi Arabian league, took a swipe at Messi and asserted that the competition in Saudi Arabia is far superior to Major League Soccer (MLS). This remark from Ronaldo comes on the heels of Messi’s official signing with MLS side Inter Miami.
In an interaction with Lisbon sports newspaper A Bola, Ronaldo not only compared the two leagues but also closed the door on a potential return to Europe, a continent where he had previously flourished in his career.
“Returning to Europe, for me, is no longer a possibility. I am already 38 and a half years old, and it simply isn’t worth it. Europe has lost a lot of its quality. The only league that remains at the top is the Premier League. The Spanish league has witnessed a decline in its level, the Portuguese league is not at the ‘top’ level, and the German league has also experienced a decline in quality. As for the USA, no, the Saudi championship is much better,” Ronaldo stated.
Currently representing Saudi side Al Nassr, Ronaldo joined the team earlier this year. The recent transfer window has witnessed a significant influx of European talent into the Saudi league, including his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, Edouard Mendy, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and Marcelo Brozovic.
Even Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has ventured into a managerial role within the Saudi league. Ronaldo predicts that more top players will follow suit in the coming months, further strengthening the competition. He confidently states, “In a year’s time, more and more top players will come to Saudi Arabia. The Saudi league will surpass the Turkish and Dutch leagues.”
Ronaldo’s comments emerged following a disappointing preseason friendly for Al Nassr, as they suffered a 5-0 defeat against Spanish top-division side Celta Vigo in Faro, Portugal.
As Ronaldo continues to make his mark in the Saudi championship, his assertion regarding the league’s quality and its potential to attract top talent signifies a shift in football dynamics. While he may have ruled out a return to Europe, his presence in Saudi Arabia contributes to the league’s growing appeal and raises expectations for the future.
It remains to be seen how the Saudi championship will evolve and whether more prominent names will indeed be drawn to its shores. As Ronaldo embarks on this new chapter in his illustrious career, football enthusiasts eagerly await the developments in both the Saudi league and the ever-evolving landscape of global football.