Cristiano Ronaldo stunned many when he declared that the Saudi Pro League surpassed Ligue 1, claiming, “In France, they only have PSG, everyone else is finished. Nobody can beat them because they have the most money and the best players.”
At the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, he shared these thoughts, hinting that playing in the Saudi heat at 38 or 39 degrees sets his league apart. That’s 100.4°F to 102.2°F for American friends. The remarks spread quickly, raising eyebrows and sparking a debate about European leagues and whether one team’s dominance defines an entire competition.
A day later, Ligue 1’s Spanish-language social media account responded by posting an image of Lionel Messi holding the World Cup trophy, accompanied by a caption that read, “Leo Messi playing in 38 degrees.” The message was brief, but it called attention to Messi’s success in similarly hot conditions. Many fans saw it as a bold reminder of Messi’s continued excellence, even under weather extremes.
A measured response from Ligue 1 and Emmanuel Petit
Emmanuel Petit, a French World Cup winner who began his career at Monaco, offered a more direct take on Ronaldo’s comments. “Sometimes it’s better to stay quiet and not say anything instead of gathering that attention,” he said. He also criticized the Dubai ceremony itself, dismissing it as “all about singers, rappers, and diamonds,” while expressing frustration over how such events can overshadow genuine football discussion.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo, who earns an estimated $200 million per year, remains adamant that his current environment is more challenging than the French top flight. He has argued that those who doubt him should test Saudi Arabia’s climate firsthand. Yet skepticism lingers, with critics pointing out that Qatar’s World Cup also involved high temperatures, and Messi thrived there.
While PSG’s wealth and roster depth are undeniable, some French fans argue that recent Ligue 1 seasons have seen competitive surges from teams like Lens and Marseille.
The conversation has now shifted to whether one club’s substantial spending power should define an entire league. Some note that PSG’s continued dominance isn’t guaranteed, citing new investments in French clubs eager to close the gap. Others argue that the Saudi Pro League’s massive financial outlays and scorching conditions could indeed reshape global football, especially if more star players follow Ronaldo’s path.
For now, the debate lives on in press conferences and social media feeds, a reminder that modern football is as much about perception as it is about performance on the pitch.
