Cristiano Ronaldo has no intention of ever playing in the Major League Soccer, but he has no qualms in criticising the competition.
Speaking with reporters following a preseason performance for Al Nassar, Ronaldo made an effort to promote the Saudi Pro League, criticise the Major League Soccer, and insult European soccer.
Ronaldo was taking part in an exhibition game for the Saudi club, which he joined with in January, against La Liga team Celta Vigo.
After being replaced after the first half of the game, Ronaldo reportedly informed reporters that “the Saudi league is better than MLS.”
The Portuguese football player responded to a question regarding whether he would ever consider playing in the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States.
After being able to attract superstar Lionel Messi, Major League Soccer and Inter Miami have made international news.
Messi chose the failing MLS team that is partially owned by David Beckham over the reputed $400 million-per-year Saudi Pro League offer.
That didn’t seem to impress Ronaldo very much, as he attacked Major League Soccer and voiced his disapproval of the sport’s development in Europe.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player, who declared, “I’m 100 percent sure I won’t return to any European club,” claimed.
38 years old, I said. A lot of talent has also been lost in European football. The Premier League is the only one that is still effective. They are far superior to all other leagues.
The Saudi league has a long way to go before it can be considered a legitimate rival to the top football leagues in the world. However, the league has been successful in luring some of the biggest names in the game there thanks to significant financial infusions from the Saudi government.
N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, Marcelo Brozovic, and Karim Benzema have all made the move to play in Saudi Arabia this summer.
All the players are now coming here since I paved the road to the Saudi league, according to Ronaldo.
Despite this, Don Garber, the commissioner of Major League Soccer, told reporters on Sunday at Messi’s debut celebration in Miami that he wasn’t concerned about the Saudi league stealing talent.
You do realise that it’s not just about Europe? It’s close by. So I don’t feel in the least threatened by that,” Garber added.
“I’ve seen it with China, and I wasn’t worried about that any more than I’m concerned about what’s happening in Saudi Arabia, in fact, it’s quite the opposite.”
