Cristiano Ronaldo had an interesting take on European football in his recent interview. The Portuguese maestro seems to have closed the door on a future return to Europe. He spoke highly about the Saudi league and claimed it was far better than Major League Soccer.

Ronaldo claimed that the European leagues were in decline. The five-time Ballon d`Or winner’s move to Saudi Arabia has sparked a trend of top European players signing with Saudi clubs. Meanwhile, the soccer star’s opinion resulted in polarised views among fans.

How did fans feel about Cristiano Ronaldo’s claims?

Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in December on a two-and-half-year contract. He scored 14 goals in 18 appearances for the club. The 38-year-old footballer believes that the English Premier League is the only league that is truly competitive. He added that European soccer is no longer the prime standard of the sport.

Soccer enthusiasts reacted when CR7 said, “I won’t return to European football. You can forget about it — the door is completely closed for my return. I’m 100% sure I won’t return to any European club. I opened the way to the Saudi league last January… and now all the players are coming here.” Fans did not believe that he was being truthful. They felt Ronaldo was refusing to accept the fact that he was no longer capable of competing with European talent. For them, his failed stint at Manchester United left him with only Al Nassr as a viable option for his next move.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s point was polarizing among supporters.

Soccer fans also drew parallels between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s transfer situations.

Cristiano Ronaldo considers the Saudi Arabian league to be much better than MLS in terms of competition. As a result, followers of CR7 took to social media to disparage Lionel Messi for his newest stint in MLS.

Read More: Al-Nassr Snaps Up Cristiano Ronaldo’s Former Manchester United Teammate in Stunning Fashion With Deal in Latter Stages

Is the Saudi Pro League more attractive than Europe’s elite leagues?

After Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr, the Saudi Pro League has been in the spotlight. The financial prospects and the opportunities that the Saudis have laid out are very attractive to European talent. Many clubs, including Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and AL Ettifaq, have signed some big names to their clubs, including World Cup winners Karim Benzema and N`Golo Kante.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin claimed that it is only the money that attracts players to Saudi and that it might ruin the art of the sport. He also remarked that A-listers of soccer are only joining the league to bow out gracefully. He said the level of competition in Europe is something that young players would miss out on if they join the Saudi Arabian league. The debate over the league’s merits may continue even as more players join the league.

Meanwhile, the soccer world continues to witness Cristiano Ronaldo in Al Nassr, wondering whether he meant it when he said he would never return to Europe.

Watch this story: From Arsenal to PSG – Clubs That Almost Signed Cristiano Ronaldo