In January 2023, Ronaldo made a move to Al-Nassr after departing from Manchester United.
Following his transfer, several other notable stars, such as Sadio Mane, Karim Benzema, and Neymar, also made their way to Saudi Arabian clubs during the summer transfer window.
Since signing for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has scored 42 goals in 48 appearances.
After spending some months in the Saudi League, Ronaldo stated his belief that in France only two or three teams are capable of challenging for the title, while the Saudi Pro League is more competitive.
He said: ‘The Saudis are in a process that will take long, but step by step, we will reach the highest level.
‘I believe they are going to be in the top three or four in the world. Step by step, I think we are going to reach that.’
‘The level right now? To be honest, I think the Saudi league is not worse than France’s league in my opinion.
‘In the French league, I think you have two, three teams with a good level. In Saudi, I think it is more competitive.’
Chelsea legend tells Ronaldo to be quiet
Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf was left livid with Ronaldo’s comments and suggested that he only criticised Ligue 1 because his long-term rival Lionel Messi played for Paris Saint-Germain.
Leboeuf told BetVictor: ‘It annoys me when I hear Cristiano Ronaldo saying that the Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1. Why do you think he chose to make that comment about Ligue 1 rather than the Portuguese League? It’s because Lionel Messi played in Ligue 1. I have lots of respect for him as a player but come on, just shut up! It is unfair to Ligue 1.’
Leboeuf reserved further criticism for Ronaldo, stating that Portugal are capable of winning the Euros this summer if the 39-year-old doesn’t play. In addition, Leboeuf launched a jibe at Ronaldo, suggesting that money was a key factor behind his move to Saudi Arabia.
He said: ‘For me, Portugal are actually one of the contenders for this summer’s European Championships. I actually think they can win the Euros, but only if Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t play.
‘You cannot take away anything that Ronaldo has done for football just because he has gone to retire in the Saudi League. I want to thank him for taking the sport to another level, but there is an end for everyone. He has every right to play in Saudi Arabia, although I’m not sure he needed even more money!’
Leboeuf played for Chelsea between 1996 and 2001, having started his career at Laval before signing for Strasbourg.
After joining Marseille, Leboeuf played for Al-Sadd and Al-Wakrah in Qatar.
PSG have won the Ligue 1 title in nine of the eleven seasons since 2012-13, with Lille and Monaco the only other champions. PSG are currently nine points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
In the same period, Al-Hilal have won the Saudi Pro League five times, with Al-Nassr being crowned champions on three occasions, while Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli and Al-Fateh have also won the league.
As things stand this season, Al-Hlal are nine points clear at the top ahead of Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
