Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo has sparked controversy after commenting on the state of European Football while championing Saudi league rise, News About Nigeria reports.
Ronaldo declared his firm decision to turn his back on European football, vowing not to return after his move to Saudi Arabia paved the way for high-profile players.
The Portuguese icon, who recently made headlines with his move to Al Nassr, unleashed a scathing criticism of European football while highlighting the growing appeal of the Saudi Arabian league.
Speaking at a press conference in Riyadh, Ronaldo expressed his conviction that the Saudi league will soon surpass the Turkish and Dutch leagues in terms of talent and prominence while affirming that the English Premier League remains the only one with a notable presence.
He confidently stated, “In a year, more and more top players will come to Saudi. The players who have arrived are not like what the president of the European Union said.”
Ronaldo further defended his choice to join the Saudi league, citing his role in attracting other notable names. “They criticized me for coming to the Saudi league, but what happened now?” he questioned rhetorically, adding that he “opened the way, and now all the players are coming here.”
Highlighting his impact on the leagues he has joined in the past, the 38-year-old asserted, “When I joined Juventus, Serie A was considered dead, but after I signed, it was revived.
“Wherever Cristiano goes, he generates higher interest.” In addition, Ronaldo proclaimed the superiority of the Saudi league over the MLS (Major League Soccer), firmly stating, “The Saudi league is better than the MLS.”
This is perhaps a move to pick on Lionel Messi who left Paris Saint-Germain this summer, for Inter Miami in the American Major League Soccer.
While speculation had been rife about a potential return to European football, Ronaldo dismissed such notions. “I’m 100% sure I won’t return to any European club.
“I opened the way to the Saudi league, and now all the players are coming here. The door to European football is completely closed,” he added.
