Former French international Adil Rami has hit back at Cristiano Ronaldo after the Al-Nassr star claimed the Saudi Pro League was better than Ligue 1.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player made the comments after being named the best player in the Middle East at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Friday.
The 39-year-old has had an impressive start to the season, scoring ten goals and providing two assists in 12 matches. Al-Nassr is currently fourth in the championship.
Ronaldo said: “The Saudi League is of course better than Ligue 1.
“France only has PSG. The rest is finished. Try sprinting at 38, 39, 40 degrees and see.
Former Lille and Marseille defender Rami, speaking live on Twitch, responded to Ronaldo’s claims: “He talks bullshit. You want me to show you images of defenders in Saudi Arabia. Just because he’s had a crazy career doesn’t mean that whenever he says something, it’s the truth.
Adil Rami reaches Cristiano Ronaldo:
“As much as we love CR7, it’s not because he’s had a crazy career that as soon as he says something it’s the truth!
Guys in Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, 𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗱𝘀, 𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝘀’𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘀… pic.twitter.com/7jrghFOePM
– Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) December 30, 2024
“I think it’s a publicity stunt. We have defenders, they are machines. You put him in Ligue 1 and he gets eaten up.
“Cristiano Ronaldo, you know, I’m a fan. I’m team Cristiano Ronaldo but he made a mistake. When he says that the Saudi championship is better than that of France, he brings a lot of people with him.
Along with the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga, the French elite is considered one of the top five divisions in Europe.
However, only one French team – Marseille in 1993 – has won the Champions League or the European Cup.
For comparison, Spanish clubs have lifted the trophy 20 times, followed by English clubs 15 times. Italian teams have won the competition 12 times, while German teams have won eight.
France is seventh on the list, behind the Netherlands with six triumphs and Portugal with four.
