Former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has hit back at Cristiano Ronaldo following the Portuguese star’s recent remarks about Ligue 1.
Ronaldo, during the Globe Soccer Awards, controversially claimed that the Saudi Pro League surpasses Ligue 1 in quality, stating, “France only has PSG. The rest are finished.”
Ronaldo’s Provocative Comments
As revealed by FabrizioRomano, Ronaldo’s comments, comparing the Saudi Pro League favorably to Ligue 1 and dismissing the French top-flight’s competitiveness, sparked debate across the football world.
He also challenged the physical demands of playing in Saudi Arabia’s intense climate, adding, “Try to sprint in 38, 39, 40 degree weather and see…”
🚨🇸🇦 Cristiano Ronaldo: “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…”. pic.twitter.com/kczBoXV3YB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 27, 2024
Petit’s Scathing Response
Speaking on French television, Petit dismissed Cristiano Ronaldo’s remarks as self-serving and reflective of his struggle to remain in the spotlight.
The Frenchman stated: “I’m not surprised. Since 2018 when Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid, he has had more interviews than collective trophies. He has had very little impact on club and country.”
Petit suggested Ronaldo’s comments were fueled by personal grievances, especially with Messi’s continued prominence:
“He is an ambassador of the Globe (Soccer) awards, and I think he can’t deal with the fact that he is not the headliner of the biggest football awards (Ballon d’Or) anymore.
His comments about Ligue 1 are baseless and are related to Messi, and we all know that.”
Petit’s sharp critique underscores the enduring rivalry between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, whose recent successes with Argentina and in MLS have reignited the debate over their legacies.
