Cristiano Ronaldo reignites Messi feud: Saudi Pro League better than MLS!

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 18 Jul 2023 07:41 BST
• 2 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo has appeared to criticise Lionel Messi’s decision to move to Inter Miam in MLS.

Ronaldo completed a surprise switch to Al-Nassr in December after he was released by Manchester United by mutual agreement after falling out of favour with manager Erik ten Hag.

The Portuguese started a trend of ageing players moving to the Saudi Pro League, with the likes of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Marcelo Brozovic and Roberto Firmino among the players who have switched to the big-spending Gulf league this summer.

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Ronaldo has now defended his decision to move to Saudi Arabia – where he is on the biggest contract ever seen in sport – and has taken an apparent dig at Messi, who chose to leave PSG for Inter Miami on a free transfer this summer.

“Saudi Pro League is better than MLS,” Fabrizio Romano reports Ronaldo said after taking part in a friendly against Celta Vigo, which the Spanish side ran out 5-0 winners of.

Messi had been linked with a potential move to Saudi Arabia, with the World Cup winner snubbing the opportunity to join Al-Hilal on an even bigger contract than his long-time Portuguese rival in favour of a switch to Inter Miami, which he has made in order to maximise his family life.

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Ronaldo makes ‘100%’ transfer promise

Ronaldo also quashed any speculation that he could return to a major European league, instead pledging his future to the Saudi Pro League.

“I’m 100% sure I won’t return to any European club,” he said.

“I opened the way to the Saudi Pro League – and now all the players are coming here.”

Ronaldo experienced mixed fortunes in his first months in Saudi Arabia. Although he scored 14 goals in 19 matches, he was unable to lead Al-Nassr to silverware, notably suffering the disappointment of seeing them finish second in the Saudi Pro League after leading the way when he joined the club.