'Is MLS a worse league? Obviously' - Cristiano Ronaldo aims dig at Lionel Messi as Al-Nassr superstar claims Saudi Pro League is 'looked down upon'

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi went chasing the American dream in the summer of 2023 when he linked up with Inter Miami. He has won trophy number 46 of his record-breaking career in the United States, while also claiming MVP honours.

A few months prior to Messi heading for Florida, Portuguese superstar Ronaldo made his own move when packing his bags for the Middle East and signing a lucrative contract at Al-Nassr. He has maintained remarkable individual standards there, scoring more goals than Messi has managed in MLS, and believes that he has taken on a tougher professional challenge.

Ronaldo, who recently claimed that the Saudi league is stronger than Ligue 1, has told La Sexta: “When I made the decision to come I didn't think it was going to grow so fast, but I knew that in one or two years the league would be very top, as it is now. People don't know, they think and talk too much.

“I'm sorry because it's a different reality when people talk about Saudi Arabia and when they talk about the United States. Is MLS a worse league? Obviously, but because it's Saudi Arabia it's looked down upon. But since I know that people don't know what they're talking about... Just because of the people who are here you have to give it value.”

Ronaldo, who will celebrate his 40th birthday on February 5, is enjoying his time in the Middle East and remains convinced that he made the right career call on the back of being released by Premier League giants Manchester United.

He added: “In Saudi Arabia, it's going very well, it's been almost two years and I'm really enjoying the experience, I like living here, my family does too. I've always had challenges in my life, since I left Madeira at the age of 12, I'm not intimidated by big challenges, I like them.

“Going to Saudi Arabia was not the same as playing in Europe, but it didn't take away my sleep. I knew what the league was like here, in football you know everything. It was a different direction in my life and I like it a lot.”

Evergreen frontman Ronaldo is expected to agree an extension to his contract at Al-Nassr that will take him through to the end of the 2025-26 campaign. He will then hope to figure at the next World Cup finals, with the plan being to reach 1,000 career goals before any thought is given to retirement.