Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned best player in the Middle East at the Globe Soccer Awards 2024. He took the opportunity to reiterate his criticism of Ligue 1 by asserting the superiority of the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to pile up the awards. This Friday, at the prestigious Globe Soccer Awards ceremony in Dubai, the Portuguese striker was named best player in the Middle East in 2024. The award recognises the impact he has made since joining Al-Nassr in January 2023. With remarkable performances and a key role in the growing popularity of the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo has confirmed his status as a football legend. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player has taken on a new challenge in a league that is still in its infancy. With his exceptional performances, CR7 has taken Al-Nassr to new heights. He has scored decisive goals and brought international attention to the Saudi Pro League.
🚨 OFFICIAL: Cristiano Ronaldo wins the Best Middle East player 2024 at the Globe Soccer Awards. pic.twitter.com/9N116fiX29
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 27, 2024
Since the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Saudi Pro League has taken a major step forward. A season ago, a host of international players joined Saudi clubs, including Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Neymar, Sadio Mané and Riyad Mahrez. These spectacular transfers demonstrate the inordinate ambition of Saudi football, supported by massive investment and lucrative contracts. The aim? To become one of the most attractive leagues in the world by 2030. At the same time, modern infrastructures and ambitious projects, such as the organisation of international competitions, are helping to make Saudi Arabia a key player on the world football stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo destroys Ligue 1
During his speech, Cristiano Ronaldo did not hesitate to compare the level of the Saudi league to that of Ligue 1: ‘The Saudi league is better than Ligue 1, of course. France only has PSG, the rest is finished. Try sprinting in 38, 39, 40 degree weather and you’ll see,’ said Cristiano Ronaldo. In any case, this statement follows a trend for Ronaldo, who regularly criticises the competitiveness of French clubs outside PSG.
🚨🇸🇦 Cristiano Ronaldo: “Saudi League is better than Ligue 1, of course. France only has PSG. The rest are finished”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 27, 2024
“Try to sprint in 38, 39, 40 degree weather and see…”. pic.twitter.com/kczBoXV3YB
This is not the first time CR7 has spoken out on the subject. Last January, at the same ceremony, he said that the Saudi Pro League was already better than Ligue 1: ‘The Saudi League is no worse than Ligue 1. The Saudi Pro League is more competitive than Ligue 1,’ he said. Cristiano Ronaldo draws on personal experience to justify his comments.
The rise of the Saudi Pro League is real. With colossal investments and modern infrastructures, the league is attracting more and more talent. Faced with this rise in power, Ligue 1 is struggling to defend its reputation. While PSG continue to dominate in France, other clubs are struggling to compete on the European stage. In recent years, few French teams other than PSG have shone in the Champions League.
Leave a Reply