When asked what did Ronaldo say about Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t pull any punches. He declared that the Saudi Pro League is already among the top five leagues in the world, praised its growing competitiveness, and went further—claiming that it is better than France’s Ligue 1 in many respects. These statements have sparked applause, criticisms, buzz, and debates across the football universe—and for good reason. In this article, KMSoccer will take you through exactly what Ronaldo said, why it matters, how people reacted, and whether the numbers back him up.
What Ronaldo actually said
Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments fall into two main themes: ranking the Saudi Pro League globally, and comparing it directly to Ligue 1 (France’s top-tier league).
Ranking Saudi Pro League among the best
- After renewing his contract with Al-Nassr, Ronaldo said that the Saudi Pro League is already one of the top five leagues in the world. He claimed that while the league is still improving, it has shown growth in recent years.
- He also emphasized that many critics are those who have “never played in Saudi”, and thus don’t understand how competitive the league is.
- Ronaldo reaffirmed this view multiple times, saying he is “100% in my words” when it comes to his belief in the league’s status.
Comparison with Ligue 1
- Ronaldo has claimed that the Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1.
- Specifically, he said Ligue 1 has one top club (PSG) and that “the rest are finished,” implying a lack of challenge or depth in France’s league beyond PSG. He contrasted that with his experience in Saudibia, saying the SPL has more competitiveness across multiple clubs.
- Part of his argument also played on conditions: running in 38-40 degree weather, having to sprint under tough climates, etc., suggesting physical challenges that test players.
Why Ronaldo’s comments are controversial and important
Ronaldo’s statements aren’t just casual observations—they carry weight because of who he is, what stage of his career he’s in, and the global football landscape right now.
- High profile: Ronaldo is a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, has played at elite levels across Europe, and is now a major figure in Saudi football. What he.
- Changing league dynamics: Saudi Pro League has undergone massive investment—big signings, infrastructure, exposure. Ronaldo’s comments tie into a broader narrative: can SPL rival or even surpass traditional European leagues?
- Motivation/defensive posture: Some see these comments as part of justifying his move outside Europe, silencing critics who view his time in Saudi as “retirement league” territory.
- Fan responses & league image: Such statements affect fans, media narratives, TV rights, sponsorships. If SPL can legitimately claim it’s rising, it changes how global audiences view Saudi clubs and the league’s competitiveness.
What critics and others have said
Not everyone agrees—or is pleased—with Ronaldo’s assessment.
- Ligue 1 defenders point out that while PSG dominates, other clubs (Monaco, Marseille, Lyon, etc.) still produce talent, compete domestically and in Europe. They argue depth, style, and competition levels are still stronger in many European leagues.
- Some analysts look at objective metrics like UEFA coefficients, player statistics, performance in international club competitions, match attendances, and quality across all clubs—not just the headline names—to challenge the top-five claim. SPL is improving, but the gap remains in many view.
- Others appreciate Ronaldo’s comments as a boost for the Saudi league’s image—more money, better players, more viewership—but caution that investment alone doesn’t immediately equate to league quality.
What the data and context show
Let’s unpack whether the facts align with Ronaldo’s bold claims.
- League growth: Saudi Pro League has seen big-name transfers (players like Neymar, Mane etc.), higher salaries, improved infrastructure. That raises the overall level.
- Performance in international competition: Clubs like Al-Hilal have had respectable showings in AFC competitions and global club tournaments. However, in UEFA/European settings, SPL clubs obviously don’t compete—so cross-comparison is tough.
- Depth and competitiveness: While some matches are highly competitive, the consistency of depth (i.e., how many clubs can realistically challenge year to year) is still under scrutiny. In many European leagues, multiple teams (top 5-8) have history, budgets, youth systems, etc.
- Climate and physical conditions: Playing in very hot weather, long travel, etc., do impose physical challenges. Ronaldo references these as part of his evaluation. It’s part of context, though some argue that they can also ham.
- Objective rankings: Some objective league ranking systems (e.g. statistical or coefficient systems) don’t yet place SPL in top 5 globally. But those systems may lag behind the rapid changes in investment, player pool, and visibility.
How these remarks affect the football world
These statements do more than make headlines. They have ripple effects.
- For players: More top players might consider moving to SPL, if they believe the league is competitive and visible enough.
- For sponsors & media: Claims of “top-5” draw attention, broadcast deals, global audience interest.
- For rival leagues: European leagues might feel pressure to improve or respond—either through performance, transfers, or narrative.
- For the fans: Encourages pride among Saudi Pro League supporters; stirs debate among Ligue 1 / European fans; raises expectations.
Possible risks & caveats in Ronaldo’s statement
While Ronaldo is known for confidence, there are caveats:
- Bias: Ronaldo plays in SPL. His perspective is influenced by his experience there. It’s natural for any player to see positives in his own league.
- Selective comparison: Comparing leagues is complex. Things like style of play, tactical sophistication, youth development, European pedigree, historical performance, etc., all matter—and many areas are still dominated by leagues like the EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A.
- Sustainability: Investments, star power, competitiveness might be high now, but maintaining that over years is another challenge.
- Public backlash: Bold claims always invite criticism. Some may view this as inflammatory, unnecessarily provocative.
My take: Is Ronaldo right?
From where I stand:
- Ronaldo’s view captures reality in some aspects. The SPL is improving quickly, pulling in bigger names, raising investment, and growing media attention. In those respects, it’s fair to say the gap is narrowing.
- However, “top five leagues in the world” is still a stretch, depending on what metric you use. If top five means globally visible, financially improving, attracting stars, then perhaps yes, SPL can be in that conversation. If it means having the depth, consistency, European performance, tactical sophistication, and historical pedigree of leagues like Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, etc., then there’s still work to do.
- When it comes to his comments on Ligue 1—that many clubs are “finished” except PSG—that’s provocative. There is truth in criticism of Ligue 1’s competitiveness beyond PSG, but it’s an oversimplification. Clubs like Marseille, Monaco, Lyon have shown capability; young players still emerge.
Why this matters going forward
Understanding what Ronaldo said about Saudi Pro League matters because:
- It sets expectations for SPL’s future trajectory. It’s not just about Ronaldo wanting to defend his move—it’s about vision for the league, investors, fans, and the football world.
- It forces leagues, federations, pundits to reconsider assumptions. For years, many saw Saudi as a destination for late-career stars. Ronaldo suggests it might become something more: a serious, globally relevant top competition.
- It influences where talent flows. If players believe the league is competitive and well-run, more might commit, accelerating the rise.
Conclusion
What did Ronaldo say about Saudi Pro League? He said it is already among the top five leagues globally, that it has improved substantially, and asserted that it is better — or at least more competitive — than Ligue 1, especially beyond its dominant heavyweight, PSG. His words are bold, intentionally provocative, and meant to signal a shift in how we perceive Saudi football.
KMSoccer invites you: keep watching SPL, judge the growth by what you see—player performances, match quality, international impact. Do you agree with Ronaldo’s assessment? Is Saudi Pro League already top five in the world? Share your view, follow the league closely, and let’s see how reality unfolds.
