Cristiano Ronaldo made the move to Saudi Arabia after the 2022 World Cup, joining Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr on a lucrative contract. And it doesn’t seem like he has any interest in a return to Europe based on what he told reporters on Monday.
Ronaldo indicated that a return to European soccer was off the table, citing the decline in quality across most of the top leagues. The 38-year-old also dismissed MLS, suggesting he felt the Saudi Pro League provided a bigger challenge and was a “better” league.
“Saudi league is better than MLS,” Ronaldo declared, per Fabrizio Romano, one day after Lionel Messi was unveiled by Inter Miami.
In regards to returning to Europe, Ronaldo said, “The door is completely closed. I’m 38 years old, also European football has lost lots of quality … only valid one is Premier League. They’re way ahead of all the other leagues.”
🚨Cristiano Ronaldo: "Saudi league is better than MLS".
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2023
"I'm 100% sure I won't return to any European club. I opened the way to Saudi league... and now all the players are coming here". 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/nvgESZnjeK
The striker’s comments about European soccer and MLS came following Al-Nassr’s 5–0 defeat against Spanish side Celta Vigo in a club friendly on Monday. Ronaldo also claimed his transfer to Al-Nassr in December 2022 led to several top players joining the Saudi Pro League this summer.
“I opened the way to the Saudi League … and now all the players are coming here,” said Ronaldo.
Star players who departed Europe for Saudi Arabia this summer include Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, Edouard Mendy and more.
