Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, the iconic Portuguese footballer, recently engaged in an open discussion with a broadcaster, reflecting on his illustrious career and his current experiences in Saudi Arabia. At 40, Ronaldo continues to make headlines, not only for his performance on the pitch but also for his outspoken views on the football leagues he has played in. Currently playing for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has scored 102 goals, with nine coming this season, as his team leads the league table. Despite his impressive goal tally, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has faced criticism regarding the level of competition in the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo said: “Year after year, I keep scoring more goals. Even in a bad year, I scored 25 goals. 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).”
Ronaldo added: “The Premier League is good of course, it’s the number one. They should count like the goals to be the top goal-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.”
Ronaldo’s comments come amidst contrasting assessments of the Saudi Pro League’s standing in global football. According to Opta Power Rankings, the Saudi Pro League is positioned 29th, significantly lower than both the Portuguese and French leagues, which are ranked ninth and fifth, respectively. Despite this, Ronaldo remains steadfast in his belief that the Saudi League offers a competitive environment, challenging perceptions and advocating for recognition of its quality.
The Premier League, widely regarded as the pinnacle of club football, continues to draw attention with its extensive coverage, including an increase in live broadcasts to 215 games this season. Ronaldo’s remarks highlight the ongoing debate about the relative strength of different leagues and the criteria used to evaluate player performances across diverse footballing landscapes.
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