Cristiano Ronaldo has as soon as once more stirred the pot, this time on the prestigious Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, the place he questioned the standard of France’s Ligue 1 in comparison with the Saudi Professional League. Whereas accepting the Greatest Center East Participant award for 2024, Ronaldo claimed the SPL is now superior to Ligue 1, taking refined goal on the dominance of Paris Saint-Germain and not directly referencing international superstars Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe.
Past the headline-grabbing feedback, Ronaldo’s assertions and their implications mirror the challenges and ambitions of the SPL, which, regardless of its wealth and star energy, grapples with sustainability issues.
What did Ronaldo say about Ligue 1?
Throughout his look on the Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo was invited to debate a variety of matters, together with the SPL’s progress and its comparability to different leagues. He didn’t maintain again when addressing the French high division.
“The French league? After all [it is worse]. I don’t say that as a result of I play there [in Saudi Arabia]. They [people] ought to go there and play there, to see. To run in 38, 39, 40 levels and dash just a few occasions, simply to see how they’re going to be. Don’t consider in my phrases—go there and see,” the veteran said, emphasizing the distinctive challenges of taking part in in Saudi Arabia.
The Portuguese star particularly focused the perceived lack of competitors in Ligue 1, claiming, “Solely in France is PSG; the remainder is completed. The opposite ones compete, okay, however PSG is the strongest—no one competes with them. They’ve higher gamers, they’re the membership with more cash. It is a reality.”
Ronaldo’s remarks are extensively seen as an oblique swipe at Messi and his former PSG teammates Neymar and Mbappe. His critique follows years of debate over Ligue 1’s standing because the weakest of Europe’s high 5 leagues, with its competitiveness usually overshadowed by PSG’s dominance.
Rising rift between SPL and Ligue 1
Ronaldo’s feedback come amid the SPL’s aggressive push to determine itself as a world soccer powerhouse. Since his transfer to Al-Nassr in early 2023, the SPL has witnessed an inflow of star expertise, with gamers like Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mane following in his footsteps. The 39-year-old has been on the forefront of this transformation, constantly selling the league’s progress.
“Saudi League is healthier than Ligue 1, in fact. France solely has PSG. The remainder are completed,” Ronaldo reiterated on the awards ceremony. He added, “It’s tough to turn out to be a champion in Saudi. This yr Al-Hilal are higher, Al-Ittihad are high of the league, however I consider that we have now to push onerous to be champions.”
Apparently, regardless of Ronaldo’s optimism, the SPL faces vital hurdles in its quest for international legitimacy. Attendance figures for a lot of golf equipment stay dismal, with some groups drawing fewer than 1,500 followers per recreation—numbers dwarfed by even the smallest golf equipment in England’s decrease divisions.
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The post ‘Attempt to dash in 38, 39, 40-degree climate and see…’: Ronaldo takes refined goal at Messi, Neymar, Mbappe in scathing rant about Ligue 1 first appeared on Foot & Soccer.
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Author : footsoccer
Publish date : 2024-12-27 20:56:01
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