Echoing Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Top 5’ Saudi League Claim, Rival Star Claims Top Clubs Have Reached French League Standard

This summer is changing the dynamics of soccer transfers. The approach of clubs toward players has undergone a paradigm shift. It’s not only about the salaries now, as Saudi Arabia is making massive strides, especially since landing Cristiano Ronaldo. They tried to lure Lionel Messi, but he declined an enormous offer in favor of the MLS club, Inter Miami.

Saudi Arabia shocked the world when Al Nassr landed Cristiano Ronaldo in January. The move made CR7 the highest-paid athlete. Many questioned his move to a low-level league, but the Portuguese expressed that the Saudi Pro League would be in the top five leagues in the coming years. Now. his rival echoed the same while speaking of the Roshn Saudi League.

Saudi Pro League star divulges the level of the league

Saudi Arabia is the talk of the town, which started with Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer. They took another step as the country’s $600 billion worth of PIF took control of four Roshn Saudi League clubs. The idea was clear; they wanted to ignite Riyadh (Al Nassr and Al Hilal) and Jeddah (Al Ittihad and Al Ahli) rivalry.

In the process, the club’s representatives arrived in Europe to lure superstars. They have succeeded in their approach as massive names like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Neves, and Kalidou Koulibaly agreed to join Saudi clubs. However, with the transfer window just starting, Roshn Saudi League clubs are working on more transfers, and a host of superstars are predicted to be joining the clubs.

Amid all the transfer saga, the Al Ittifaq defender divulged at the league’s level. Speaking to So Foot, Marcel Tisserand said, “I don’t want to give you a level today when, in two months, it may be totally different. But so far, I have come to a club that has the equivalent of a good French Ligue 2 team. The 3-4 big teams in the country, we will say that it is at the mid-level of the Ligue 1 table,” when asked about where the league stands in comparison to European ones.

READ MORE: “Kids Want to Play Like [Cristiano] Ronaldo” – Awaiting $600 Billion Fund’s Investment, Al Nassr’s CR7 Raised Saudi Arabia’s ‘Profile’ Making Football a ‘Commercial Success’, Ex-Saudi Executive Says

Tisserand’s views come in the wake of Ronaldo’s top-five league claims.

Cristiano Ronaldo sees a massive future for Saudi soccer

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner spoke to Roshn Saudi League representatives after the season ended. CR7 feels the league is competitive, and he hailed the local players for their commitment. Moreover, Ronaldo feels Saudi Arabia is doing great work, and if they continue, the league will be in the top five in the world.  

The Portuguese player is determined to stay at Al Nassr and complete his contract. Now with a host of superstars joining rival clubs and Al Nassr, the league’s overall level will go up. The former Los Blancos superstar will enjoy playing tough opposition. He would hope for silverware next season after going trophyless in the first one. 

WATCH THIS STORY: Ten Times Cristiano Ronaldo Four Goals in a Game

Where do you see the Saudi Pro League heading next? Will it be the next Chinese Super League that has gone anonymous after massive spending?