Cristiano Ronaldo was the man of the moment when he headed to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. Well, the Portuguese star is again grabbing headlines for his recent comments. Known for never shying from the media, made a bold claim that the Saudi Pro League was better than the French league – Ligue 1. The Portuguese openly stated that the Saudi Pro League is more competitive than France’s Ligue 1, a league traditionally seen as one of Europe’s top competitions.

However, the comments sparked several debates in the soccer world. While many soccer pundits and fans criticized him, several others including Alexi Lalas defended The Al Nassr Captain. Lalas in his recent podcast stated, “I like that he is defending Saudi Arabia. I like that he has taken this unconventional pathway, notwithstanding how much money he’s making. It’s not as traditional as the past, and it has shown him some of the challenges out there—both on and off the field—when playing in leagues that many people don’t fully understand or appreciate.” Lalas reflected on how these leagues may be disregarded globally, but they do have their unique challenges that, in many ways, make them way more competitive than people assume.

He also drew a parallel between the MLS and Saudi leagues, stating that both leagues are overlooked and underestimated.“But from an MLS perspective, I can appreciate it. I’ve always tried to say, whether it’s Saudi Arabia—which, to be clear, I’ve never played in, though I visited many years ago—or any other league, there are unique challenges that players face which others don’t often consider. I can guarantee there are difficulties players encounter there that are hard to comprehend unless you’ve experienced them. These challenges likely make it a more competitive league than many assume—similar to how MLS is often undervalued by people around the world.”

Alexi’s comments indicate how lower-ranked leagues like MLS and the Saudi League have undergone significant transformations. Similarly, Saudi League is adapting to a competitive environment, offering both established and emerging players the stage to compete and flourish.

Non-European leagues – stage for growing prominence for soccer globally?

When it comes to soccer, the European leagues have surely dominated the sport. Especially Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. However, several leagues outside Europe are slowly and steadily gaining attention from the soccer world. Leagues where the GOATs Cristiano and Leo Messi are playing, are birthing attractions from all around the world.

While many high-profile players are making the move to Saudi Arabia, MLS, and similar leagues, it is evident that there is a thought of challenging the norm of European leagues’ dominance. The global soccer community is no longer entirely dependent on the top-tier leagues. With growing investment, improved infrastructure, and increasing international talent, they are emerging as serious competitors on the global soccer stage.

Cristiano’s comments regarding the French league are a sign that the legacy and spread of soccer are not constrained to Europe. In conclusion, the rise of leagues like the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer shows that soccer is growing beyond the norms and dominance of top-tier leagues.