Cristiano Ronaldo has aimed a subtle dig at Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami move as he rates low the MLS in comparison to Saudi Pro League.
Speaking after Al Nassr’s first preseason match against Celta Vigo, the highly-rated Manchester United legend and Al Nassr striker said the Saudi League is better than MLS and will overtake other European Leagues in a matter of years.
Ronaldo’s comment came just a day after his biggest rival Lionel Messi was unveiled as Inter Miami player at the DRV PNK Stadium in Miami.
Messi’s unveiling and presentation was one of the biggest event in MLS history and the most viewed football presentation with a record viewership of 3.5billion, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s 3billion views during the Portuguese’s presentation by Al Nassr.
Messi turned down a £2billion contract offer from Saudi giants Al Hilal to join Inter Miami in a shock transfer move.
A move to Al Hilal would have seen Leo recreate the old-time rivalry between him and Cristiano Ronaldo during their days in La Liga but the 2022 World Cup legend opted to pit tent with David Beckham’s Inter Miami, refusing to allow money dictate the next chapter of his career.
On Cristiano Ronaldo’s parlance, Leo must have missed a great opportunity to play in the fastest-growing and developing football leagues in the world.
According to him, the Saudi Pro League is far better than MLS and will outgrow some major leagues in Europe such as the Dutch and Portuguese leagues in no distant time.
In a quote shared by Fabrizio Romano, the Portuguese star said, “the Saudi league is better than the MLS.”
“I opened the way to the Saudi league and now all the players are coming here,” he added.
Saudi League better than MLS?
After Cristiano Ronaldo joined the Saudi Pro League in 2022, a flurry of top stars such as Karim Benzema, Marcelo Brozovic, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Neves, Edouard Mendy, and others have joined the league this summer with more additions expected.
Saudi football authorities are also planning to have league matches aired on larger broadcast networks for a larger global audience and publicity. More private investments are also expected.
While such measures do actually delineate gradual changes in the league to allow rapid growth and make it more attractive, the influx of big-name European players to the league has been linked to Saudi’s heavy cash splurge into the league and may not actually represent a growing league
The MLS equally hosted big European footballers such as Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Gonzalo Higuain, Robbie Keane, Kaka, Thierry Henry, Andre Pirlo, Frank Lampard, David Villa, and now Leo.
Unarguably, Ronaldo must have propped up changes in the Saudi League but such changes cannot be passed off as ends but means to an end.
The Saudi league is still way below other leagues in terms of global competitiveness, facilities, and grooming top football talents.
