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“Maybe It Will Become the Best”: Ex-World Cup Champion Echoes Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League Claims Despite Backlash

Published 07/24/2023, 10:45 AM EDT

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Cristiano Ronaldo‘s recent comments about the Saudi League have gained a lot of attention. After Lionel Messi joined the MLS team Inter Miami, 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. However, Ronaldo has faced strong criticism for his comments.

The topic has also sparked debates and discussions among soccer enthusiasts. Interestingly, another great of the game, Andrea Pirlo, also commented on the Saudi league, somewhat agreeing with Ronaldo’s views.

Considered one of the greatest midfielders, Andrea Pirlo comments on the Saudi league

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The 44-year-old Italian, who now is a coach, has recently signed with Sampdoria an Italian club, which got relegated this year. In an interview, Pirlo talked about how excited he was about his new role at Sampdoria.

He mentioned how Saudi Arabian clubs are becoming big players in the transfer market. In the interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, he said, “A new market has opened up, as happened a few years ago in China. Football like life is this, if there are opportunities someone takes them. There is the Italian league, the English one and there will be the Arab league. Maybe it will become the best in the world…

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“Ronaldo Has Been Smoking”- Cristiano Ronaldo Slammed for His Audacious Saudi League Claim After Lionel Messi’s MLS Arrival

Ronaldo’s comments have opened up discussions about the potential and competitiveness of various soccer leagues, adding more fuel to the ongoing debates in the soccer world.

The comments of Cristiano Ronaldo about MLS and his plans for future

On July 18, after Al Nassr’s 5-0 preseason defeat against La Liga side Celta Vigo in Portugal, Ronaldo shared his thoughts on the two leagues. When asked about the possibility of a move to the U.S., similar to his former rival Lionel Messi’s transfer to Inter Miami. Ronaldo confidently asserted that the Saudi league offers superior footballing standards, saying, “The Saudi league is better than MLS.”

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Furthermore, Ronaldo credited himself with paving the way for other players to join the Saudi league. Indeed, several prominent footballers, such as Karim Benzema, Marcelo Brozovic, N’Golo Kante, and Roberto Firmino, have joined the league. Ronaldo even predicted that within a year, more top players would migrate to the Saudi Pro League. Surpassing other notable leagues like the Turkish and Dutch leagues in terms of talent and competitiveness.

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The 38-year-old football icon also said that he has no plans to return to any European club. According to him, European football has experienced a decline in overall quality in recent years. Ronaldo’s statements make it clear that he is content with his decision to be part of the Saudi Pro League. He has firmly ruled out any potential return to Europe or move to the MLS.

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What do you think about Ronaldo’s comments? Do let us know!

 

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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:

Akash Pandhare