Cristiano Ronaldo’s bold claim that the Saudi Pro League is superior to Ligue 1 has ignited a fiery debate among football fans and analysts alike.
Speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo asserted that “Saudi Arabia’s league is much better than the French league,” pointing to the dominance of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as the reason Ligue 1 falls short in terms of competition.
“In France, there is only PSG; the rest don’t compete,” Ronaldo said, a remark that has certainly stirred the pot in the football world.
The debate continued to gather steam as Neymar, the Brazilian forward and former PSG star, sided with Ronaldo’s statement during an interview with CNN Sport.
Neymar, who now plays for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, echoed Ronaldo’s sentiments, commenting, “Today, I think the Saudi League is above Ligue 1.”
Neymar elaborated that the standard of football in the Saudi Pro League has been on the rise, adding that the players in the Saudi league are now “better” than those in Ligue 1.
Having spent six years at PSG, where he played 173 matches, scored 118 goals, and provided 77 assists, Neymar’s endorsement of the Saudi Pro League is a significant shift in opinion.
Despite his impressive record in France, where he helped PSG win 14 trophies, Neymar highlighted the positives of the Saudi Pro League, which, in his view, is currently outperforming Ligue 1.
Neymar also spoke highly of Saudi Arabia itself, praising the country’s growth in various sectors, including football. “Saudi Arabia has surprised me in a positive way—the people, the country, the cities, the culture,” Neymar said.
He further expressed his belief that with the 2034 World Cup set to be hosted in Saudi Arabia, the country’s influence in global football will only continue to increase.
“It’s a nation on the rise,” Neymar added, suggesting that the Kingdom’s investment in football is paying off both on and off the pitch.
Although Neymar’s remarks are significant, they come amid a challenging start to his time in Saudi Arabia.
After joining Al Hilal in the summer of 2023, Neymar’s season was cut short following a severe ACL and meniscus injury sustained during a World Cup Qualifier against Uruguay.
As a result, the Brazilian has played only seven matches in the Saudi Pro League, scoring one goal and providing three assists. Despite this setback, Neymar’s optimism about the league’s future remains unwavering.
The comments from both Ronaldo and Neymar come at a time when the Saudi Pro League is becoming increasingly competitive, with high-profile signings such as Ronaldo, Neymar, and other top international stars boosting its profile.
This growing trend has placed the league at the forefront of global football discussions, challenging traditional European powerhouses like Ligue 1.
While Neymar’s endorsement of the Saudi Pro League may fuel more debate about the future of global football, it undeniably highlights the league’s potential to rival Europe’s top competitions.
As more stars join the ranks of the Saudi Pro League, its ambition to become a global football powerhouse seems more attainable than ever.