Cristiano Ronaldo, Monday declared that he has closed the door on European membership soccer and endorsed the Saudi Arabian league as a superior option to Major League Soccer (MLS), the place his longtime rival Lionel Messi has opted to proceed his profession.
Ronaldo, who made the transfer to Al Nassr in January, signing a 2-and-a-half-year contract after bidding farewell to Manchester United, expressed his perception that he has set the stage for different high gamers to affix Saudi groups, confidently predicting a rising exodus to the desert kingdom.
Speaking within the aftermath of Al Nassr’s 5-0 defeat to Celta Vigo in a preseason pleasant, the 38-year-old Portugal captain shared his conviction that almost all European leagues are on a decline.
ESPN quoted him saying, “I’m 100% sure I won’t return to any European club. I’m 38 years old. European football has lost a lot of quality. The only valid one and still doing good is the (English) Premier League. They’re way ahead of all the other leagues.”
In a daring assertion, Ronaldo asserted that the Saudi league surpasses MLS by way of high quality.
While his nice rival Messi was additionally linked with a possible transfer to Saudi Arabia, the Argentine World Cup winner in the end determined to embark on a brand new chapter with MLS facet Inter Miami, signing a contract till 2025.
According to Ronaldo, the attract of the Saudi league continues to develop, with high gamers flocking to its shores.
He firmly believes that this development will persist, stating, “Now all the players are coming here … In one year, more top players will come to Saudi Arabia.”
Indeed, his prediction holds slightly little bit of weight, as a number of high-profile gamers have adopted in Ronaldo’s footsteps and joined the Saudi league.
Notable names embody Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, who made the change from Real Madrid, and N’Golo Kante, who departed Chelsea to affix champions Al-Ittihad.
Ronaldo’s endorsement of the Saudi Arabian league signifies a altering panorama in international soccer.
While European leagues could have misplaced their luster, he has recognized the English Premier League as a beacon of excellence, solidifying its place because the premier competitors.
Meanwhile, the rising monetary dominance of the Saudi league continues to draw consideration and entice high expertise from world wide.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
