When receiving the hat-trick of awards at Globe Soccer, striker Cristiano Ronaldo said that the Saudi Pro League was more quality and competitive than Ligue 1, the tournament in which Lionel Messi played.
“Honestly, the Saudi Pro League is no worse than the French National Championship,” Ronaldo said at the ceremony in Dubai on January 19. “Ligue 1 only has two or three teams with good quality, and I think the Saudi Pro League is more competitive now. Everyone has their own opinion, and this is just my opinion. I played in Saudi Arabia.” for a year, so I know what I’m talking about. I find the Saudi Pro League better than Ligue 1 and still growing.”
Ronaldo receives the Maradona award for the player who scores the most goals in 2023. Photo: Globe Soccer
Ronaldo’s arrival at Al Nassr has created a wave of stars moving to the Saudi Pro League in the summer of 2023. These include names such as Neymar, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Malcom to Al Hilal, Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez, Allan Saint-Maximin, Roger Ibanez, Edouard Mendy, Gabri Veiga joined Al Ahli, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, Aymeric Laporte, Seko Fofana, Alex Telles, and Otavio joined Al Nassr or Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Jota, Fabinho, and Luiz Felipe arrived at Al Ittihad.
With 1.025 billion USD poured into recruitment, the Saudi Pro League is the tournament that spends the second most money in the summer of 2023, only after the English Premier League, which spent nearly 3 billion USD. Meanwhile, Ligue 1 clubs only spent a total of 961 million USD in the last transfer period.
“I feel very happy because Al Nassr and the Saudi Pro League are developing. It will take a long time, but then it will reach the highest level,” Ronaldo continued. “The Saudi Pro League will be among the top 3 national leagues in the world. Therefore, fans in Saudi Arabia will definitely be proud.”
Ronaldo dribbles in the match Al Nassr won 3-0 against Al Okhdood in the Saudi Pro League on November 24, 2023. Photo: AFP
Ronaldo received a hat-trick of awards at Globe Soccer 2023, winning Best Player in the Middle East, Best Player as voted by fans, and the Maradona Award for the player who scored the most goals in 2023. In the past year, he has scored 54 goals, including 10 for Portugal and 44 for Al Nassr. Behind Ronaldo are Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, with both 52 goals; Erling Haaland scored 50 goals; and Lionel Messi only had 28 goals in 44 matches, including 11 goals for Inter Miami.
“I am the player who scores the most goals in 2023. I am about to turn 39 years old and imagine defeating young, brave players like Haaland,” Ronaldo said, saying he was very proud. “I like it when people doubt me and then I succeed. I’m not affected by criticism.”
Before his 39th birthday on February 5, Ronaldo joked about playing for another 10 years before ending his top career. “When will I retire?” the Portuguese star expressed. “I don’t know either, but of course it will be soon. And soon means about 10 years from now. I’m kidding! I don’t know; let’s wait and see.”
Ronaldo received the award for Best Player in the Middle East at the awards ceremony in Dubai on the evening of January 19. Photo: Globe Soccer
Globe Soccer is an organization headquartered in Dubai, UAE, so their award is also known as the Dubai Golden Ball. This award has been awarded annually since 2010, organized by the European Club Association (ECA) in collaboration with the Players’ Representatives Association (EFAA) and Globe Soccer. In the Best Player of the Year category, Ronaldo ranked first with six awards; in addition, no player has won the award more than once.
In the most important category of the Globe Soccer Award 2023, the Dubai Golden Ball, Haaland of Manchester City is the winner. But Ronaldo was not disappointed and even supported his junior to win the award. When the organizers were preparing to announce the winner, the Portuguese striker repeatedly pointed at Haaland as if to signal that the 22-year-old striker deserved to win the award.