“It’s not the statistics! It’s not the statistics!” Ray Hudson once famously said of the World Cup winner, Lionel Messi in 2012. Well, it turns out this time it is, at least meteorologically. The soccer world thrives on Messi vs. Ronaldo, which is the eternal tango. But this time, the flames were stoked not by the usual Ballon d’Or comparisons or goal tallies, but by a scorching comment from Cristiano Ronaldo at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai. It’s the kind of statement that fuels forums, barroom debates, and, evidently, entire leagues. And sad to say, but this time, one of the GOATs might be wrong.

On Friday, in Dubai, Cristiano Ronaldo collected the award for the best Middle East player thanks to his scoring feats for Al-Nassr. Ronaldo scored 16 goals and three assists in 19 appearances in all competitions. On a day that sparked festivities, the Portuguese star turned the atmosphere tense with his fiery comments. He first took shots against France Football for not giving the Ballon d’Or to Vini Jr. Then came in the jibe on Ligue 1, which quickly became a Messi vs. Ronaldo, as it usually does. Speaking at the event, Ronaldo said: “The Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1, of course. I’m not saying that because I play here. I don’t care what people think about it. Players should come here and they will see quickly. Just try to do sprints at 38, 39, 40 degrees.”

Man, that’s bold, no doubt, delivered with the panache of someone who has done it all but still finds ways to add fuel to the fire. If Ronaldo thought the comment might slip under the radar, Ligue 1 was ready with a counterpunch—a digital jab. Hey, you fire some shots; you take some. Right?

On their Spanish X account, Ligue 1’s social media team dropped a cheeky response. Highlighting La Pulga’s World Cup heroics in Qatar to fire back at CR7, the post read, “Leo Messi playing in 38 degrees.” Short, sharp, and straight to the point. A reminder of the Inter Miami star’s magnum opus, the culmination of his career—a World Cup trophy secured under the sweltering Middle Eastern sun.

But how fair is El Bicho’s assessment? Comparisons between leagues often come down to two factors: player quality and competitive depth. The Saudi Pro League has undoubtedly made waves, signing marquee players like Neymar, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante in what feels like a footballing gold rush. Al-Nassr, Ronaldo’s current club, boasts a roster that would be the envy of many European teams. Yet, when it comes to metrics of league quality—Champions League performances, talent development pipelines, and overall tactical depth—Ligue 1 still stands tall.

French clubs have shown their mettle on the European stage this season. Lille took downReal Madrid at home thanks to a clinical Jonathan David penalty. Brest, debuting in the Champions League, sits sixth in the league phase standings, while Monaco remains in contention. Ligue 1’s showing in Europe is a testament to its grit and growth, But Leo Messi’s former club, PSG sits 24 and could be in trouble as they’ve struggled to adapt following the departure of Kylian Mbappe to Madrid. That doesn’t seem close to a finished league.

One thing that could probably save the iconic 7’s humiliation here is that the World Cup happened in December. The average temperature in Qatar in December is 23 degrees. So, Cristiano Ronaldo could have a point. His point about running sprints in near-40-degree heat isn’t just bravado; it’s a nod to the physical toll and adaptability required, especially if you are playing high-press soccer.

This felt personal, almost as if Ronaldo was still grappling with the specter of Messi’s dominance in France. The timing of his statement, coinciding with Ligue 1’s Champions League successes, underscores the irony. But will he stop? Of course, not.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the LeBron James of soccer

In the same event, the drama didn’t stop there. The active highest goal scorer of International soccer dropped even more headliners in the ceremony. Dude literally went to collect his award, even before the host announced his name. As soon as CR7 heard “the greatest goal-scorer,” he left his seat for the podium. That’s aura!

Cristiano Ronaldo may be 39, but slowing down? Not a chance. Currently dazzling fans with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, the Portuguese icon shows no signs of hitting the brakes. The burning question, of course, is how long can he keep this up. Ronaldo’s answer to that remains delightfully vague. When asked if he has a post-retirement plan involving specific clubs, he grinned and said, “Not yet, a few maybe.” Classic Ronaldo—leaving us all guessing.

You can’t help but draw parallels to another ageless wonder, LeBron James. Both legends, born in the same year, are redefining what’s possible in sports longevity. Hyperbaric chambers, relentless training, and an unquenchable hunger for greatness keep them ticking at a level most athletes half their age would envy.