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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>All-time great plying his trade in the Middle East</li><li>Talked up the standard of that division</li><li>Comparison shrugged off by those in Europe</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Cristiano Ronaldo 'doesn’t deserve to be answered’ for saying Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1 as fellow Portuguese coaching in France makes stinging comment

Saudi Pro League

Al Nassr FC

Al Hilal

Ligue 1

Lille

Nice

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who moved to the Middle East in January 2023, has claimed that the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-saudi-pro-league-ligue-1-al-nassr-jordan-henderson-ajax/bltc6a815787fd36364#cs765775b58c29e715" target="_blank">division he currently operates in is “not worse than the French league”</a>. He has helped to raise the profile of Al-Nassr and Saudi football as a whole, but his latest comments have left many in Europe surprised.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Former France international Laure Boulleau has accused Ronaldo of having a “big ego” and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-slammed-lame-ligue-1-criticisms-al-nassr-superstar-big-ego/blt015955f2183a31c0" target="_blank">only speaking out against Ligue 1 “because Lionel Messi played here”</a> – with his eternal rival having spent two years at Paris Saint-Germain before <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/explained-why-lionel-messi-didnt-follow-cristiano-ronaldo-saudi-arabia-sergio-aguero-inter-miami-transfer/blt8f025ee8649f73aa " target="_blank">linking up with MLS outfit Inter Miami</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Current Lille boss Fonseca has now addressed controversial comments from his fellow countryman, with the ex-Porto and Roma coach saying when asked if there is any truth to Ronaldo’s claims: “I don't think it's good what he said. I don't want to make a comparison. If he feels happy in Saudi Arabia, I'm happy for him. There are things that don't deserve to be answered. I'm wasting my time answering them. These statements are part of it. I think intelligent people will understand why he made this statement.”

WHAT FONSECA SAID ABOUT RONALDO

Ronaldo won trophies in England, Spain and Italy during his time in Europe and is continuing to star in the Middle East at 38 years of age – with the evergreen frontman <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/is-cristiano-ronaldo-still-champions-league-level-portugal-roberto-martinez-explains-38-year-old-totally-elite/bltf1fe5ca91bc0fea0" target="_blank">posting a world-leading 54 goals across his appearances for club and country in 2023</a>.

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Cristiano Ronaldo told he 'doesn’t deserve to be answered’ over Ligue 1 criticism as fellow Portuguese coaching in France makes stinging comment | Goal.com India

Cristiano Ronaldo’s claims that the Saudi Pro League is “more competitive” than Ligue 1 “don’t deserve to be answered”, according to Paulo Fonseca.

Cristiano Ronaldo &apos;doesn’t deserve to be answered’ for saying Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1 as fellow Portuguese coaching in France makes stinging comment

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