Ligue 1’s social media team have hit back at Cristiano Ronaldo in a post to the league’s official account following his controversial recent comments.
After an acrimonious departure from Manchester United in 2022, Ronaldo shocked the football world when he signed for Al-Nassr, becoming the first high-profile star to join the Saudi Pro League.
An exodus of talent followed, with Ronaldo joined in the gulf state by the likes of Karim Benzema, Neymar, and Sadio Mane.
The 39-year-old is yet to secure a league title since his blockbuster move, and claimed earlier this year that his lack of success is indicative of how competitive the Saudi league is when compared to the likes of the French top flight.
Then, after being named the Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Friday, Ronaldo doubled down on his comments and took aim at Ligue 1.
‘Saudi League is better than Ligue 1, of course.’ Ronaldo said.
Cristiano Ronaldo took aim at the French top flight during an award ceremony on Friday
The 39-year-old noted the high temperatures in Saudi Arabia as part of the reason the gulf state’s league is superior to Ligue 1
Ligue 1’s X account responded with a photo of Lionel Messi after he won the World Cup in the Qatar heat whilst playing his club football at PSG
‘France only has PSG. The rest are finished. Try to sprint in 38, 39, 40 degree weather and see…’
He added: ‘It is difficult to become champion in Saudi. This year Al-Hilal are better, Al-Ittihad are top of the league, but I believe that we have to push hard to be champions.
‘I’ve been champion everywhere I have (played) and I believe I will be champion, but I’ve won this trophy for scoring so many goals and assists and maintaining my level.’
His comments provoked significant backlash online, with Ligue 1’s official Spanish Language X account making a cheeky dig in response.
On Saturday, the account shared a photo of Ronaldo’s long-time rival Lionel Messi after he captured the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 with the caption: ‘Leo Messi playing in 38 degrees.’
After departing Barcelona in 2021, Messi spent two seasons in Ligue 1 with PSG, winning the league title in both.
The account also shared a quote from Messi during his time with Les Parisiens where he hailed the standard of the quality on display.
Messi previously hailed the quality on display in Ligue 1 during his time with Les Parisiens
‘It’s a much more physical championship than Laliga,’ Messi said of the French top flight.
‘The teams seem more physical and the matches are tough, they leave you very little space. The players are very strong.’
PSG have won eight of the last ten Ligue 1 seasons, with only Monaco in 2016/17 and Lille in 2020/21 managing to halt their dominance.
Saudi side Al-Hilal have enjoyed a similar streak in their domestic league competition, having triumphed in six of the last ten campaigns.