Ronaldo Rules Out Return To Premier League, Says Saudi Arabian League Is ‘Better’ Than MLS
LAGOS JULY 18TH (NEWSRANGERS)-Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be coming to Major League Soccer anytime soon.
Ronaldo was asked about following Lionel Messi’s move to MLS one day after Al-Nassr’s 5-0 loss to La Liga’s Celta Vigo on Monday night in Portugal. Ronaldo quickly shut that idea down, and even ruled out a return to Europe.
“The Saudi league is better than MLS,” Ronaldo said, via ESPN.
“I opened the way to the Saudi league and now all the players are coming here,” he added.
Ronaldo signed a reported nine-figure deal to join the Saudi Arabian club in December — a move that was long expected after his tumultuous exit with Manchester United. Ronaldo is reportedly making more than $200 million a season playing in Saudi Arabia.
The soccer icon is by far the biggest player to join a Saudi Pro League club. Several other notable names have since followed suit, including Karim Benzema, Marcelo Brozovic, N’Golo Kante and Roberto Firmino. Soccer is the latest example of “sportswashing” by Saudi Arabia, following attempts in golf, Formula 1 and more.
At 38, Ronaldo’s career is undoubtedly nearing its end. He played just half of Monday’s friendly loss in Portugal, the first of two the team will play this week. The way he sounded on Monday, however, makes it seem like Ronaldo is more than content finishing out his playing days in Saudi Arabia. His long history in three of Europe’s top leagues — the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A — are behind him, and he doesn’t want to return.
“I’m 100% sure I won’t return to any European club,” Ronaldo said, via ESPN. “I’m 38 years old. And European football has lost a lot of quality. The only valid one and still doing good is the Premier League. They’re way ahead of all the other leagues.”
Ronaldo’s take comes on the heels of Lionel Messi’s official debut in MLS with Inter Miami. Messi, arguably the best soccer player ever, was introduced in Florida on Sunday night. His arrival to the league marked a new era for the league, which has now landed by far its biggest star — even as he’s 36 and also nearing the end of his career. Inter Miami currently holds just a 5-3-14 record, the worst in MLS. Messi is set to make his playing debut with the club on Friday against Mexican side Cruz Azul.
YahooSports
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Posted by News Rangers
on Jul 18 2023. Filed under National.
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