Cristiano Ronaldo caused a lot of controversy at the Globe Soccer Awards by claiming that the Saudi Pro League was superior to Ligue 1. “The Saudi Arabian league is much better than the French league. In France, he there is only PSG; the others do not compete,” Ronaldo said. These comments sparked debate, including a scathing response from the former world champion defender, Fair Rami.
On his Twitch stream, Rami criticized Ronaldo's comments, providing a direct response. “He talks nonsense. Do you want me to show you images of defenders in Saudi Arabia?” said Rami. “Just because he's had an incredible career doesn't mean everything he says is the truth.”
Although Rami admitted his admiration for the Portuguese, he noted that Ronaldo's words often lead to unnecessary tension. “Cristiano Ronaldo, you know, I'm a fan of him. I'm on the Cristiano Ronaldo team, but he made a mistake,” he clarified. “When he says that the Saudi league is better than the French league, he draws a lot of people into his words.”
Rami went even further, challenging Ronaldo and Al Nassr to compete against French teams. “Try playing against Monaco, Lille or Marseille. Take your small team and face Brest,” added the former French defender, visibly frustrated.
Cristiano Ronaldo feeling the goal against Souleymane Diawara during the Champions League match between Real Madrid and Olympique Marseille. (Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
Ligue 1's response to Ronaldo
Ronaldo also cited the difficult conditions in Saudi Arabia as a key factor in his appreciation of the league. “They should go out there and see what it's like—running in 39/40º heat, let them try,” he said.
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Report: Cristiano Ronaldo 'open' to surprise Al Nassr exit as contract expires.
The league itself joined in the chorus of disapproval, posting a subtle but stinging response on its official X (formerly Twitter) account. The post featured an image of Lionel Messi lifting the World Cup with the legend, “Leo Messi playing at 38 degrees,” accompanied by an Argentinian flag, a star, and a goat emoji—an obvious nod to the status of “GOAT” by Messi.
Analysis of Ronaldo's comments
Although Ronaldo's remarks may have offended some, they are not completely without merit. Ligue 1 was dominated by the Paris Saint-Germainwho won 10 of the last 12 league titleswith the exception of AS Monaco (2017) and of Lille (2021) who managed to interrupt this series.
On the international scene, Ligue 1 has struggled to establish itself. Marseille Olympic remains there only French team to have won the Champions Leaguea title she won in 1992-93. Meanwhile, no Ligue 1 team has ever won the Europa League, highlighting the challenges the league faces internationally.
Takeaways
- Cristiano Ronaldo sparked controversy by comparing the Saudi Pro League to Ligue 1.
- Adil Rami responded scathingly to Ronaldo's comments, suggesting they were spreading a lot of unnecessary ink.
- Ronaldo cited the harsh weather conditions in Saudi Arabia as one of the reasons for his appreciation for the league.
- PSG's dominance in Ligue 1 raises questions about the latter's competitiveness.
- On a European level, Ligue 1 has mixed results compared to other major championships.
In summary, this exchange highlights the tensions that exist between leagues from different countries and the perception that players and experts have of them. The discussion about the quality of leagues can be subjective and influence the image of football globally. What will be the long-term repercussions of this controversy for both leagues? A discussion is open here, and it will be interesting to follow developments.
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