‘Is it because Lionel Messi played here?’ - Cristiano Ronaldo slammed over ‘lame’ Ligue 1 criticisms as Al-Nassr superstar told he 'has a big ego’

At the Globe Soccer Even in Dubai on Friday, Ronaldo claimed that he considers the Saudi Pro League to be more competitive than the French Ligue 1. The comments did not go down well with former Paris Saint-Germain player Boulleau, who slammed the Portuguese superstar and accused him of having "a big ego". She went on to suggest that the apparent dig on the French top division was solely because his rival Lionel Messi used to ply his trade there until the 2022/23 season.

Speaking on Canal+'s Canal Football Club, Boulleau expressed her incomprehension, stating: "I was really surprised by his communication. Why attack Ligue 1? Because Lionel Messi played here? I asked myself why he mentioned Ligue 1 and not other leagues. I already think it's out of his league to say that. I think he's played in plenty of other leagues, except this one, so I think it's a bit lame. It's not the league he knows best.

"Frankly, you watch Saudi Pro League matches and I honestly don't think it's true. I think it's a phrase of communication, of pride. He's got a big ego. But that doesn't stop me liking Cristiano Ronaldo very much, but I don't like statements like that at all."

The 38-year-old attacker left Europe for the first time in his career in 2023 to join the Saudi Pro League. He had an eventful year in the Middle East as he became the highest men's goalscorer in the world by netting 54 times for club and country during the calendar year. Messi also left Europe at the end of the 2022/23 season and moved to the US to join Major League Soccer club Inter Miami.

The two rivals are all set to face each other in a little over a week as Inter Miami will take on Al-Nassr in a friendly Riyadh Cup fixture on February 1.