‘Ronaldo lightyears behind Messi’ – Cristiano's Saudi Pro League contribution slammed

Robin Bairner

• 7 Jun 2023 11:33 BST
• 3 min read

Lionel Messi is “lightyears” ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, Saudi Pro League fans have been told by Al-Hilal caretaker boss Emiliano Diaz.

Ronaldo has scored 14 goals in 16 appearances in Saudi Arabia’s top flight since joining following his release from Manchester United prior to the World Cup but was unable to inspire his Al-Nassr side to the title, with some criticism of his performances.

He faces a greater challenge next season, with defending champions Al-Ittihad having already added Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema to their ranks.

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Messi, Ronaldo’s great rival, is linked with a move to Al-Hilal when he becomes a free agent from PSG at the end of the month, and though some doubt has been cast over the deal, the odds still appear in favour of the Argentine becoming the Saudi Pro League’s next big superstar.

And Diaz, who will leave Al-Hilal formally when his contract ends at the end of June, says that Messi will comfortably eclipse Ronaldo.

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When asked by Argentine channel TyC Sports if Ronaldo could be compared to Messi, he replied: “No, in no way, not as a footballer. There is no comparison.

“We have faced him [Ronaldo] less than three months ago and I went to see Leo at the World Cup. We are talking about light years of comparison. There is no comparison but the numbers support him, he is an animal. But at the level of quality of Leo [Messi] there is no comparison."

’Ronaldo made no difference’

Diaz went on to assess Ronaldo’s impact when Al-Nassr met Al-Hilal, and the 39-year-old was scathing of the Portugal legend’s impact.

"He had a hard time. We faced him and had a good time,” he said.

"He had a hard time. Against the big clubs he made no difference. He scored three or four goals against the small clubs and I saw that they were talking about him here. He lost the Kings Cup, he lost the Super Cup and the Pro League. In Asia he is not going to compete."

When Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr, they topped the league, but they finished second, despite Cristiano’s goals.