Market Research Record – In a recent development, Cristiano Ronaldo, the renowned football star, made headlines with his comments about the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr and its league, emphasizing its growing stature. Ronaldo took a dig at his eternal rival, Lionel Messi, and expressed his belief that the Saudi league surpasses the MLS (Major League Soccer) in terms of quality, as reported by the Mirror.
After Lionel Messi’s departure from Paris St-Germain (PSG) at the end of the 2022-23 season, the Argentine maestro officially signed with Inter Miami until 2025. However, Ronaldo’s statement shed light on his admiration for the Saudi league and the impact his move to Al-Nassr had on attracting top players to the region.
During a media interaction after Al-Nassr’s friendly defeat to Spanish side Celta Vigo with a scoreline of 5-0, Ronaldo expressed his conviction that his decision to join the Saudi Arabian club played a pivotal role in encouraging other top players to follow suit. He confidently stated, “The Saudi league is much better than the United States. My move to Saudi was instrumental in motivating clubs to bring in new top players. It’s an undeniable fact.”
Reflecting on his experience, Ronaldo drew parallels with his time in the Italian league, stating that it appeared stagnant initially but experienced a rejuvenation later on. He admitted, “I initially anticipated a year for the Saudi league to flourish, but it happened within six months. I had underestimated it for six months. However, I had a premonition that this would occur, similar to my time in Serie A. Wherever Cristiano goes, it generates significant interest, and I knew it would be no different this time. I am confident that more stars will join the league in the upcoming season.”
Ronaldo, aged 38, also firmly declared that he has no intentions of returning to any European club. Moreover, he predicted that some of Europe’s prominent leagues would be surpassed by the Saudi division in the near future. With conviction, he stated, “In a year, an increasing number of top players will flock to Saudi. The Saudi league will surpass the Turkish and Dutch leagues within that timeframe.” These statements come from the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, highlighting the emerging potential of Saudi Arabian football.
Furthermore, Ronaldo acknowledged that European football had witnessed a decline in quality, except for the English Premier League, which he praised as being far superior to other leagues. He affirmed, “European football has lost a lot of its quality. The only league that remains truly competitive is the Premier League. They are leagues ahead of all the others.”
It’s worth noting that Ronaldo made a significant move to Saudi club Al-Nassr in December of the previous year, with the deal reported to be worth over 200 million euros. The Portuguese star committed to a contract that extends until June 2025, contributing to the growing momentum and appeal of the Saudi league.
In conclusion, Ronaldo’s positive remarks about Al-Nassr and the Saudi league reflect his belief in their potential and the influence he believes his presence has had on attracting top players. With his predictions of the league’s future success and surpassing of other European leagues, it remains to be seen how this burgeoning momentum will shape the landscape of global football.
