July 18, (THEWILL) – Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed that the Saudi Pro League (SPL), surpasses America’s Major League Soccer (MLS), in quality while interacting with the media.
When asked about the possibility of joining Lionel Messi in MLS, Ronaldo responded: “No… I think that Arabia is a much better league than the United States.” These comments come after his team’s 5-0 defeat in a friendly against La Liga club, Celta Vigo. Ronaldo, known as the highest-paid player in the world, earns £175 million ($217.4 million) annually, with a significant portion covered by the Saudi state.
Meanwhile, long time rival, Lionel Messi, signed a deal with Inter Miami through 2025, receiving around $50-60 million per year, including the value of his equity in the franchise. The rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi has spanned nearly two decades, during which they dominated European club football. While their careers have been primarily defined by their achievements in Europe and on the international stage, both players have recently chosen to expand their legacies beyond the continent’s lucrative leagues.
Ronaldo was one of the first superstars to join the SPL, while Messi’s move to MLS aims to boost American interest in football. The quality of their new leagues is expected to be a frequent topic of debate, even after their retirements. MLS commissioner, Don Garber, stated last week that he was “not threatened” by the growing influence of the SPL. He compared the situation to when MLS was considered a minor League, and the impact it eventually had on the global football landscape.
Factually, however, the SPL was ranked 59th in the world by sports intelligence agency Twenty First Group in January, while MLS was placed 29th. Some have drawn comparisons between the star-driven approach of these leagues and the deflated Chinese Super League.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
