Ronaldo to leave Europe for Saudi league this January
Star players flock to Saudi Arabia, Messi moves to MLS

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), who left Europe to play in the Saudi Arabian league in January of this year, has been quoted as saying that “the Saudi league is better than Major League Soccer (MLS)”.

This is especially odd given the recent move of longtime rival Lionel Messi (Argentina) to MLS side Inter Miami.

“Ronaldo says ‘Saudi league is better than MLS,'” ESPN reported on April 18.

The world-class soccer star joined Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nasr in January after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. “When I came to the Saudi league, I opened the way, and now a lot of players are coming here,” he said.

Indeed, the Saudis are using their deep pockets to lure star players from Europe.

Al-Nasr followed Ronaldo by signing Croatia international midfielder Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan (Italy).

Al Ittihad bolstered their ranks last year by bringing in Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, Kante (France) from Chelsea (England) and Jota (Portugal) from Celtic (Scotland).

Al-Hilal brought in Ruben Neves (Portugal) from Wolverhampton (England), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal) from Chelsea, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Serbia) from Lazio (Italy), while Al Ahli added Brazilian international Roberto Firmino from Liverpool and goalkeeper Eduard Mendy (Senegal) from Chelsea.

Former England legend Steven Gerrard is in charge at Al Etihad Park.

Messi’s potential move to Saudi Arabia was also mentioned during the transfer window, but he ultimately decided to stay in the United States.

“In a year, more players will come to the Saudi league,” Ronaldo said. The Saudi league will surpass the level of the Dutch and Turkiye leagues in Europe,” he said.

“I am 100% sure that I will not return to a European club. The European leagues are not as good as they used to be. 고스톱 The English Premier League (EPL) is the only league that is still doing well,” he said, emphasizing that it is “far ahead of all other leagues.”