“Try sprinting in 38, 39, 40 degrees and see…”: Ronaldo subtly takes aim at Messi, Neymar and Mbappe as he rants sharply about Ligue 1
News

“Try sprinting in 38, 39, 40 degrees and see…”: Ronaldo subtly takes aim at Messi, Neymar and Mbappe as he rants sharply about Ligue 1

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

Cristiano Ronaldo has caused a stir once again, this time at the prestigious Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, where he questioned France’s quality Ligue 1 compared to Saudi Pro League. When accepting the Middle East Best Player Award for 2024Ronaldo claimed the SPL was now superior to Ligue 1 and subtly took aim at Ligue 1’s dominance Paris Saint Germain and indirect references to global superstars Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Beyond the headline-grabbing comments, Ronaldo’s claims and their implications reflect the challenges and ambitions of the SPL, which grapples with sustainability concerns despite its wealth and star power.

What did Ronaldo say about Ligue 1?

During his appearance at the Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo was invited to discuss a number of topics including the growth of the SPL and how it compares to other leagues. He didn’t hold back when he turned to the French top flight.

“The French League? Of course (it’s worse). I’m not saying that because I play there (in Saudi Arabia). They (people) should go there and play there to see. Running in 38, 39, 40 degrees and sprinting a few times just to see how they feel. Don’t believe my words – go there and see.” the veteran explained, highlighting the unique challenges that come with playing in Saudi Arabia.

The Portuguese star specifically addressed the perceived lack of competition in Ligue 1, claiming: “Only in France is there PSG; the rest is done. The others are competing, okay, but PSG is the strongest – no one competes with them. They have the better players, they are the club with more money. That’s a fact.”

Ronaldo’s comments are widely seen as an indirect swipe at Messi and his former PSG teammates Neymar and Mbappe. His criticism follows years of debate over Ligue 1’s status as the weakest of Europe’s top five leagues, whose competitiveness is often overshadowed by PSG’s dominance.

Growing gap between SPL and Ligue 1

Ronaldo’s comments come amid the SPL’s aggressive push to establish itself as a global football power. Since moving to Al-Nassr in early 2023the SPL has seen an influx of star talent, including players like Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio ManWe are following in his footsteps. The 39-year-old was at the forefront of this transformation and consistently drove the league’s growth forward.

“Saudi League is of course better than Ligue 1. France only has PSG. The rest is done,” Ronaldo confirmed this at the award ceremony. He added: “It is difficult to become a champion in Saudi Arabia. This year Al-Hilal is better, Al-Ittihad is at the top of the league, but I believe we have to work hard to become champions.”

Interestingly, despite Ronaldo’s optimism, the SPL faces significant hurdles in its quest for global legitimacy. Attendance figures for many clubs and some teams remain dismal Attract fewer than 1,500 fans per game– Figures that dwarf even the smallest clubs in England’s lower leagues.

Load…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *