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Despite Spending 10 Seasons in MLS, USMNT Legend Ditches America’s Top League While Echoing Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League Claims

Published 07/30/2023, 7:16 AM EDT

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Cristiano Ronaldo‘s recent comments about the Saudi Pro League being better than MLS have sparked many debates among soccer enthusiasts. After Messi arrived at MLS, Ronaldo expressed his belief in the Saudi league’s potential growth and made comparisons with European leagues. The legendary Portuguese soccer player claimed that Saudi Arabia’s league is better than Messi’s current league.

This has become a hot topic in soccer circles. People are now talking about which league is truly better and what this means for the future of soccer. In a recent interview Tim Howard, the USMNT and Everton legend, gave his answer about which league is better.

MLS vs. Saudi League Tim Howard’s verdict

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The former USMNT goalkeeper has over 100 caps under him for the country. In a recent interview, when he was asked to choose between Saudi League and MLS, he echoed the sentiments of Ronaldo and picked the Saudi League over MLS.

The soccer community has been buzzing with opinions ever since Ronaldo’s comments. Many soccer stars commented on this topic. The Italian Legend Andrea Pirlo highlighted the meteoric rise of Saudi Arabian clubs in the transfer market. Meanwhile, the Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney, threw his support behind the MLS, fueled by the dream of bringing Messi into their ranks, paving the way to compete with the Saudi riches.

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Adding to the mix, former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo also weighed in on Ronaldo’s momentous move to the Saudi League.

Ronaldo’s move to Saudi and the benefits for the country

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Ighalo, who played for Al-Hilal, emerged as the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League last season. However, after the season, the team decided to part ways with him. In a recent interview, he expressed that his move to Al-Hilal was primarily motivated by financial considerations. Similarly, he believes that the Portuguese decision to join Al-Nassr was also driven by monetary incentives. CR7’s annual earnings in the Saudi Pro League amount to a staggering $200 million which has sparked considerable interest and speculation.

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The impact of his CR7 signing was evident as Al Nassr’s Instagram account experienced an astronomical surge in followers. Skyrocketing from a respectable 860,000 to an astounding 16.1 million. Ronaldo’s presence in Saudi Arabia brought more than just a skilled footballer; it also brought unparalleled prestige and visibility to the country. 

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What do you think of Rondaldo’s move to the Saudi Pro League? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by:

Sourav Kalita

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Sourav Jyoti Kalita is a soccer writer at EssentiallySports. Soccer has been a passion he follows since school days where he has participated extensively in matches where he looks for a chance to don the jersey and take the field. A fan of the glorious Red Devils, he also ardently supports his local team North East United that plays in the Indian Super League.
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Edited by:

Sreeda U M