Cristiano Ronaldo has launched a blistering attack on critics of the Saudi Pro League, branding them "idiots" and passionately defending the quality and ambition of football in the Middle East.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, now plying his trade for Al-Nassr, did not hold back during a wide-ranging press conference, directly challenging the negative perception some in Europe hold towards the rapidly growing league.
Ronaldo's Scathing Verdict on European Critics
"They can criticise, they can say whatever they want," Ronaldo stated defiantly. "But it's my opinion, and I think for me the Saudi league is not worse than the French league, in my opinion. In my opinion, the French league has two or three teams with a good level. So I think it's comparable."
The Portuguese megastar went even further, suggesting that the traditional power dynamic in world football is shifting. "In one year, more top players will come to Saudi Arabia. So they can say whatever they want, it's just my opinion. But I think right now we are better than the Turkish league and the Dutch league."
A Not-So-Subtle Dig at a Chelsea Icon
In a moment that will send shockwaves through the football world, Ronaldo appeared to take a specific aim at a former Chelsea midfielder, believed to be N'Golo Kanté, now at Al-Ittihad.
"If you ask me again, if a coach or a president from a club says bad things about the Saudi league, I think they are idiots," Ronaldo declared. He then referenced a specific player, thought to be Kanté, who reportedly expressed a desire to return to European football. "To be honest, I heard one player, that was in my club, that said: 'Oh, Saudi is shit' or something like that. And after six months, the same guy says: 'Oh, we need to come back because here is better'... I will not say the name, it's a big name."
The Ronaldo Effect: A League Transformed
Since Ronaldo's groundbreaking move in January 2023, the Saudi Pro League has undergone a seismic transformation. His arrival acted as a catalyst, prompting a wave of high-profile signings including Karim Benzema, Neymar, and Jordan Henderson.
Ronaldo sees this as just the beginning. He passionately argued that the league's infrastructure, fan passion, and long-term project are being unfairly dismissed. His comments serve as a powerful rebuttal to those in Europe who view the Saudi project as merely a lucrative retirement home, firmly placing him as the league's most vocal and influential ambassador.
