Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed that the Saudi Arabian Pro League is better than Major League Soccer in the United States, which was recently joined by rival Lionel Messi.
Though the Portugal captain moved to Al Nassr in January after leaving Manchester United under difficult circumstances, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract worth $200 million a year.
For his part, Messi was presented this Sunday as an Inter Miami player after reaching an agreement according to which he would receive a salary of $60 million a year and a percentage of television income.
What did Cristiano Ronaldo say?
Furthermore, the 36-year-old Argentina captain, winner of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, reportedly turned down a $400 million-a-year offer from Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal before moving to Inter Miami, but Ronaldo suggests his long-term deal. The opponent chose the lower league.
After Spanish club Celta Vigo thrashed Al Nassr 5-0 in a pre-season friendly last night, “The Saudi league is better than MLS,” Ronaldo said. In fact, in a year, more top players will come to Saudi Arabia, and all the players come here. Ronaldo also added that he’s decision to join the Saudi clubs was 100% fundamental in bringing in new top-level players; it is a fact. When he joined Juventus, Serie A was dead, and then after he signed… it was revived. Cristiano creates more interest wherever he goes.”
What do we know more?
Moreover, despite his club’s defeat at the hands of one of Spain’s smaller clubs, Ronaldo insisted that European football was in decline and that he had no intention of returning to the continent where he managed Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid and made a name for himself playing for Juventus.
As well five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he was 100% sure that he will not return to any European club. He also stated that “European football has lost a lot of quality. The only valid league that still works is the (English) Premier League.
However, several high-profile players have joined Saudi clubs since Ronaldo’s move, including Real Madrid’s Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema and Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante, both former champions Al-Ittihad, finalists for the Champions League. Marcelo Brozovic, from Inter Milan and Khalidou Koulibaly, respectively.