A Chelsea legend has told Cristiano Ronaldo to keep his mouth shut after the Al-Nassr star claimed the Saudi Pro League is superior to Ligue 1.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January 2023 after leaving Manchester United and a host of stars left for Saudi Arabian clubs last summer, including Sadio Mane, Karim Benzema and Neymar.
In January, Ronaldo stated that he was convinced that in France only two or three teams are capable of challenging for the title, while the Saudi Pro League is more competitive.
He said: “The Saudis are in a process that will take a long time, but step by step we will reach the highest level.
‘I believe they will be in the top three or four in the world. I think we will achieve that step by step.’
A Chelsea legend has hit back at Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo for his criticism of Ligue 1
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‘The level at the moment? To be honest, I don’t think the Saudi league is worse than the French league in my opinion.
‘I think in the French league there are two or three teams with a good level. In Saudi Arabia I think it is more competitive.’
Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf was furious at Ronaldo’s comments and suggested he was only criticizing Ligue 1 because his long-term rival Lionel Messi played for Paris Saint-Germain.
Leboeuf told it WedVictor: ‘It irritates me when I hear Cristiano Ronaldo say that the Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1. Why do you think he chose to make that comment about Ligue 1 instead of the Portuguese League? It’s because Lionel Messi played in Ligue 1. I have a lot of respect for him as a player, but come on, just shut up! It’s unfair to Ligue 1.”
Leboeuf reserved further criticism of Ronaldo, stating that Portugal can win the European Championship this summer if the 39-year-old does not play. Furthermore, Leboeuf launched a jab at Ronaldo, suggesting money was a key factor behind his move to Saudi Arabia.
He said: ‘For me, Portugal is actually one of the contenders for the European Championships this summer. I actually think they can win the European Championship, but only if Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t play.
“You can’t take away what Ronaldo has done for football just because he retired from the Saudi League. I want to thank him for taking the sport to another level, but there is an ending for everyone. He has every right to play in Saudi Arabia, although I’m not sure he needed any more money!’
Frank Leboeuf disagrees with Ronaldo’s claim that the Saudi Pro League is more competitive
Leboeuf claimed that Ronaldo only criticized Ligue 1 because Lionel Messi played for PSG
PSG have won the Ligue 1 title in nine of the eleven seasons since the 2012/2013 season
Leboeuf played for Chelsea between 1996 and 2001, having started his career at Laval before signing for Strasbourg.
After joining Marseille, Leboeuf played for Al-Sadd and Al-Wakrah in Qatar.
PSG have won the Ligue 1 title in nine of 11 seasons since 2012/13, with Lille and Monaco the only other champions. PSG are currently nine points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
In the same period, Al-Hilal have won the Saudi Pro League five times, with Al-Nassr being crowned champions three times, while Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli and Al-Fateh have also won the competition.
As things stand this season, Al-Hlal are nine points ahead of Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
Since signing for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has scored 42 goals in 48 games.