Manchester United legend and Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo made a bold remark about the French league, claiming the Saudi Pro League is superior
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo sat down with Piers Morgan for an extensive interview
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Cristiano Ronaldo believes the Saudi Pro League is a higher standard than France's Ligue 1, but his comments have since backfired following a recent interview with Piers Morgan. The Portugal icon sat down for a candid conversation with the journalist, reflecting on his career and experiences playing in different countries.
The 40-year-old has played in Portugal, England, Spain, Italy and is now in the Middle East. Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in 2022 after a bitter exit from Manchester United, where he claimed he had 'no respect' for then-manager Erik ten Hag during a controversial interview with Morgan.
Three years on, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has once again sat down with the journalist in his home in Riyadh.
Having scored 952 goals for club and country, he's now aiming to become the first player in history to reach 1,000 before retiring.
He has netted 102 goals for Al-Nassr to date, including nine this season, with his side currently sitting top of the standings. Despite his prolific record, Ronaldo has faced criticism for the his goalscoring feats and has now hit back.
"It's excuse after excuse. Year after year, I keep scoring more goals. Even in a bad year, I scored 25 goals," he began. "If I were playing in the Premier League now, for a big team, I would score the same as now.
"I just keep doing my job. I'll repeat it. They don't know what it's like to run in 40 degree heat and I still continue to say, the Saudi League is better than the Portuguese league, obviously, as well as the French League - it's only PSG (Paris Saint-Germain)."
However, Opta Power Rankings has revealed that the Saudi Pro League ranks significantly below both the Portuguese and French leagues in quality.
The Saudi Pro League is ranked 29th, while Ligue 1 sits fifth and Liga Portugal ninth.
Although Ronaldo has enjoyed his time in Saudi, he echoed the views of many by stating that the English top-flight remains the strongest in world football.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Al-Nassr
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"The Premier League is good of course, it's the number one," the Portuguese star added.
"They should count like the goals to be the top scorer, the Golden Ball, why don't they count it in the Saudi league? Why? Look how many top players we have in the league, ask the other players if the league is good.
"Don't ask me because it's easy to ask me, because I'm always at the centre, 'Cristiano say that, because he plays in Saudi.' No, no, listen I played everywhere. Everywhere.
"For me, it's easier to score in Spain than in Saudi Arabia."
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