Cristiano Ronaldo sensationally claims Saudi Pro League is ‘already better than Ligue 1’ as Al-Nassr forward doubles down on praise despite Jordan Henderson exit

Ronaldo has claimed that the Pro League is already at a superior level to France's flagship domestic league. However, it should be said that the Portugal international has never set foot in the French top-flight, and his comments could well be a veiled dig at his former rival, Lionel Messi, who played for Paris Saint-Germain prior to his move to Inter Miami.

His comments come after Jordan Henderson abandoned the Pro League to return to Europe after just six month, joining Ajax from Al-Ettifaq.

In quotes cited by Fabrizio Romano, Ronaldo said during Dubai's Globe Soccer Awards event on Friday: "The Saudi league is not worse than Ligue 1. The Saudi Pro League is more competitive than Ligue 1, I can say that after one year spent there. We are better than the French league already now."

He added: “I feel so happy at Al Nassr, it’s a great move. Saudi is in a process, it will take long… but step by step they will go to the top level. I think the Saudi Pro League will be among top three leagues in the world. People in Saudi will be proud”.

Ronaldo has made 44 appearances for Nassr since his arrival and has scored 38 goals and registered 13 assists in that time. He finished the year of 2023 as the world's top scorer, beating out the likes of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

Nassr will next be in action on January 24, against Shanghai Shenhua in a friendly. They will also take on Inter Miami in a prestige friendly on February 1.