Cristiano Ronaldo sparked a fiery debate this weekend after slamming Ligue 1, asserting that the Saudi Pro League is superior. The reaction from the French football community was swift and sharp, emphasizing a pivotal point in the ongoing rivalry between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi: the World Cup glory that evades CR7.
Ronaldo’s comments came during an awards ceremony in Dubai, where a journalist asked him to contrast Ligue 1 with the Saudi league. The latter has been on a spending spree, attracting aging stars to boost its profile while Ligue 1 remains a staple of European football.
CR7’s Bold Claims
The Portuguese superstar didn’t hold back when he declared, “The Saudi League is better than Ligue 1, of course. France is only Paris Saint-Germain. The rest is finished.” He elaborated, suggesting that the challenges of playing in the Saudi heat set his league apart. “If you don’t believe me, try sprinting at 38, 39 and 40 degrees Celsius (100, 102, or 104 °F) and you’ll see,” he fired back, emphasizing the physical demands of his current league.
Ligue 1 Strikes Back
Not one to back down, Ligue 1’s social media team countered with some clever trolling. They posted a jaw-dropping image of Messi celebrating with the World Cup trophy from Qatar 2022, coupled with a caption that read, “Leo Messi playing with 38°.” The post also featured emojis including the Argentine flag and a goat—a nod to Messi’s long-held title as the GOAT of soccer.
While Ronaldo may champion the Saudi climate, it’s worth noting that the 2022 World Cup took place in comparatively milder temperatures, hovering around 25°C (77°F). Nevertheless, the back-and-forth has ignited a worldwide conversation, with fans split between the two legends. Meanwhile, Ronaldo secured titles for ‘Best Player in the Middle East’ and ‘Best Goal Scorer of All Time’ at the same ceremony where he made his comments.