Cristiano Ronaldo Slammed for Having ‘Big Ego’ After Comments on Saudi Pro League

• Ronaldo recently claimed the Saudi Pro League was better than the Ligue 1
• This was largely viewed as a subtle dig at his eternal rival Lionel Messi
• The Portuguese star has now been labelled ‘lame’ for his comments

Cristiano Ronaldo has been accused of having a ‘big ‘ego’ after his comments regarding the French Ligue 1.

Last week, Ronaldo, who turns 39 in February, made some notable remarks during the Globe Soccer Awards, including a comment on the competitive nature of the Saudi Pro League.

The Al-Nassr star sensationally claimed the Saudi Pro League was more competitive than the French Ligue 1, despite the latter being among Europe’s top five leagues.

"In [the] French league I think you have two, three teams with a good level. In Saudi now I think it's more competitive. They can say whatever they want, it's just my opinion and I played there one year so I know what I'm talking about,” Ronaldo said on Friday, per ESPN.

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These comments did not sit well with former France international Laure Boulleau, who has hit back at the five-time Ballon d’Or winner by branding him ‘lame’.

Boulleau was adamant Ronaldo only discredited the Ligue 1 because his rival Lionel Messi spent two title-filled spells in the French top tier.

"I was really surprised by his communication,” Boulleau told Canal+'s Canal Football Club.

She added: “Why attack Ligue 1? Because Lionel Messi played here? I asked myself why he mentioned Ligue 1 and not other leagues. I already think it's out of his league to say that. I think he's played in plenty of other leagues, except this one, so I think it's a bit lame. It's not the league he knows best.”

According to the retired superstar, she has watched matches in the French Ligue 1 and the Saudi Pro League and there is a gulf in quality.

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Who is Laure Boulleau?

Boulleau is a known figure at PSG, as she spent 13 years playing for the Parisians’ women's team.

Primarily a left-back, she made 181 appearances, scoring 15 goals.

Ronaldo's Saudi success

Since moving to the Saudi Pro League, Ronaldo has continued his impressive goal-scoring form.

At Al Nassr, the former Manchester United star has 24 goals and 11 assists in 25 appearances in the 2023/24 season.

He is, however, hoping to win his first league title in the Middle East, but his side must find a way to close the gap on runaway leaders Al-Hilal, who are seven points clear at the top.

Ligue 1 reacts to Ronaldo's comments

Sports Brief also reported on the French Ligue 1’s subtle rejoinder to Ronaldo after the comparisons of the league to the Saudi Arabia top tier.

Through their official social media handle on X, the Ligue 1 simply shared a photo of Kylian Mbappe holding Ronaldo’s face. The image was from a friendly between PSG and Al Nassr in January 2023.