The former Real Madrid legend, Cristiano Ronaldo, has sparked controversy following his unexpected comments on Ligue 1, which he considers inferior to the Saudi Pro League. On Twitch, Adil Rami, a 2018 World Cup champion with France, shared his own frank views on the 39-year-old Portuguese forward.
Since his arrival in the Middle East, where he plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo has fully embraced his role as an ambassador. Chosen by the Saudis to shine a light on their league, the Portuguese forward has succeeded in attracting big names from the football world. From Karim Benzema to Firmino, and even Neymar and N’Golo Kanté, major stars have stepped into the Saudi kingdom over the past two years. Fully convinced of the Pro League’s growing prominence, CR7 continues to make surprising statements.
While several of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s comments have stirred controversy, his remarks about the French league, which he considers weaker than the Saudi league, have shocked many. At the recent Globe Soccer Awards held in Dubai, where he was crowned Middle East Player of the Year for 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo once again criticised Ligue 1.
Rami takes down CR7
Responding on behalf of the French league’s Spanish account, which highlighted that Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup in Qatar’s extreme heat while Ronaldo hasn’t won anything in months under the same conditions he deemed “nonexistent” in France, CR7 faced yet another sharp retort from France.
On his Twitch channel, where he discusses various current topics, former French international defender Adil Rami (38) did not hold back in criticising Ronaldo, despite being an admirer of the player. Speaking candidly, the 2018 World Cup winner claimed that Ronaldo was wrong in suggesting France lags behind Saudi Arabia. “If you put Cristiano Ronaldo in Ligue 1 over the past two years, he’d get eaten alive!” Rami began.
“He’s talking nonsense! Do you want me to show you clips of defenders in Saudi Arabia? Just because he’s had an incredible career doesn’t mean everything he says is the truth. I think it’s a PR stunt. Try playing against Monaco, Lille, or Marseille. Take your little team and play against Brest. We’re the biggest talent pool in the world, along with Brazil. Our defenders are machines!” Rami declared, as reported by L’Equipe.
“Saudi Arabian players are overweight”
Adding fuel to the fire, Adil Rami didn’t shy away from criticising Saudi league players. “The guys in Saudi Arabia are overweight; they don’t give a damn. They eat McDonald’s every day!” he said, suggesting these players wouldn’t last in Ligue 1. “Come to France overweight and see how long you’ll last! You don’t realise the level of Ligue 1,” the former Marseille defender added. His cutting remarks were widely applauded.
It must be said that the latest comments from the greatest goalscorer in modern football history are far from unanimous. Now approaching the end of his contract with Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo could leave the Saudi league in January to join another club that would allow him to win trophies and, above all, score goals as he continues his pursuit of 1,000 career goals.
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