The Portuguese football star, Cristiano Ronaldo, did not spare Ligue 1 this Friday. At the podium of the Globe Soccer Awards ceremony in Dubai, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner believes that the Saudi Pro League is already ahead of the French first division champion.
Away from Europe since the beginning of 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo is thriving in Saudi Arabia. The face of a major project by the Saudis who embarked on the modernization of their football since 2022, the former Real Madrid player continues to shine. Last year, he scored 53 goals and finished the year as the top scorer of the calendar year, ahead of attackers like Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane, both with 52 goals each. After his outstanding year, CR7 was at the Globe Soccer Awards this Friday where he received two major distinctions. When discussing the level of the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano took a severe swipe at Ligue 1.
Cristiano’s blistering remark on Ligue 1
While the French football first division is considered one of the top five in Europe, having witnessed the presence of great names like Lionel Messi, Neymar, Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani, and Berbatov, Cristiano Ronaldo now believes that Saudi Arabia is far superior to this league.
“The Saudi league is not worse than Ligue 1. The Saudi Pro League is more competitive than Ligue 1; I can say that after a year spent there. We are already better than the French league now. (…) They can say what they want; I know what I’m saying. It’s my opinion,” stated the 38-year-old striker in Dubai. This statement has caused a stir since CR7 has never played in France to assess what its league represents. In any case, it’s a bold and gratuitous criticism coming from a football legend.
Two trophies for CR7 at the GSA
In any case, while Lionel Messi has won some individual awards this year that are making headlines, Cristiano Ronaldo also enriched his trophy cabinet this Friday with two trophies. At the Globe Soccer Awards, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner received the award for the best player in the Middle East and the Maradona Award, recognizing the best goal scorer. After receiving these trophies, the former Manchester United player savored the moment.
“I have been the top scorer this season; imagine beating hungry young players like Haaland… I am proud, and I will soon be 39! I love it when people doubt me again and I succeed,” declared the Portuguese international with 205 caps (128 goals).
Haaland Named Best Player at the Globe Soccer Awards
At the Globe Soccer Awards, Erling Haaland finally outshone Lionel Messi, who overshadowed him at the Ballon d’Or 2023 and the FIFA Best Player ceremony of 2023. This Friday, the Norwegian striker from Manchester City was finally crowned the best player of the year 2023 at the annual Soccer Awards ceremony.
The 23-year-old Norwegian cyborg surpassed players like the African Ballon d’Or 2023, Victor Osimhen (Naples, Nigeria), the English prodigy Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England), Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad, France), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr, Portugal), Kylian Mbappé (PSG, France), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, Egypt), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City, Portugal), and Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid, Brazil). Haaland proudly posed alongside Cristiano Ronaldo during the ceremony.
In any case, during the Globe Soccer Awards, CR7 made bold statements. After the monumental swipe at Ligue 1, he indicated his favorites for this year’s Champions League. He sees Manchester City repeating last year’s success, and if they fail, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich could lay their hands on the trophy, as revealed by Foot Mercato.
What are your thoughts on Cristiano’s comments about the level of Ligue 1?
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