Cristiano Ronaldo revived the controversy by saying that the Saudi Pro League was now part of the world's top 5. A statement that made a former French international react, visibly annoyed by the repeated spikes of the Portuguese towards Ligue 1.
Ligue 1 still disparaged: Ronaldo triggers a scathing response
The speech is roded, repeated, assumed. Cristiano Ronaldo reiterated what he thinks of the Saudi Pro League: a growing competition, already at the best European leagues. On the sidelines of his extension with Al-Nassr, he even placed Ligue 1 behind the Saudi championship. An assumed position, which no longer surprises, but which continues to annoy in France. This Tuesday evening, a former blue decided to react, with its usual outspokenness.
It was JĂ©rĂ´me Rothen who drew the first in his program on RMC. “It is not to denigrate for free to say that the Saudi championship is weak. I can't even finish a match … “he said, regretting the absence of atmosphere, rhythm and passion. For him, stars like Ronaldo are only “business” and cannot “have fun” to play at this level. Rothen also recalls that the Portuguese or Dutch championships remain far superior.
Ronaldo tackles Ligue 1, an ex-blue replied dryly
A clear, but questionable opinion
If Rothen defends a certain idea of ​​football, he seems to forget the extraordinary status of his interlocutor. CR7 remains one of the greatest in history, still capable of chaining goals at 40. So certainly, Ligue 1 is no longer dreaming, but should we deny any evolution in a championship in the making? On the networks, some recall that Rothen listens above all to speak … and that Ronaldo is not likely to offend it.
The real debate may not be the value of Saudi football, but rather the relevance of comparing two unusual trajectories. On the one hand, Rothen speaks on a French radio. On the other, Ronaldo continues to go around the world with records. The echo of the words of the first could well stop in Paris, while the second already targets the 1000 career goals.
