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 Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Friday.
The 39-year-old has made an impressive start to the season, scoring ten goals and providing two assists in 12 matches. Al-Nassr are currently fourth in the league.
Ronaldo said: “Saudi League is better than Ligue 1, of course.
“France only has PSG. The rest are finished. Try to sprint in 38, 39, 40 degree weather and see.”
Ex-Lille and Marseille defender Rami, speaking on Twitch live stream, responded to Ronaldo’s claim : “He talks s***. You want me to show you images of the defenders in Saudi Arabia. It’s not because he’s had a crazy career that as soon as he says something it’s the truth.
Adil Rami achève Cristiano Ronaldo :
« CR7 on a beau l’aimer mais c’est pas parce qu’il a fait une carrière de dingue que dès qu’il dit un truc c’est la vérité !
Les mecs en Arabie Saoudite 🇸🇦, 𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗱𝘀, 𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝘀’𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘀… pic.twitter.com/7jrghFOePM
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) December 30, 2024
“I think it’s a PR stunt. We have defenders, they are machines. You put him in Ligue 1 and he gets eaten.
“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 the one in France, he brings a lot of people with him.”
Along with the Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, and La Liga, the French top flight is considered one of the top five divisions in Europe.
However, only one French side – Marseille in 1993 – has ever won the Champions League or European Cup.
By comparison, Spanish clubs have lifted the trophy 20 times, followed by English clubs on 15. Italian teams have won the competition 12 times, while German sides have won eight.
France are seventh on the list, behind the Netherlands with six triumphs and Portugal with four.
