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Neymar backed Cristiano Ronaldo’s view, claiming that the Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1, sparking criticism in France due to his long stint at PSG.
Long-time Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar has sided with Cristiano Ronaldo in comparing the Saudi Pro League with Ligue 1, calling the Saudi league superior. Neymar’s comments come after Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in early 2023, boldly claimed that the level of play in Saudi Arabia exceeds that of France’s top-tier league.
Despite never having played in France, Ronaldo has drawn criticism for his remarks, particularly from former French internationals such as Adil Rami and Emmanuel Petit, who dismissed his comments as foolish. However, Neymar’s endorsement of Ronaldo’s view has added weight to the debate, given his six-year spell at PSG, where he was part of a star-studded squad alongside Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi.
In an interview with CNN, Neymar said, "I agree with Ronaldo. Today, the Saudi league is better than Ligue 1. The level of football in this league is growing, the players are getting better, but Ligue 1 is also a strong league. It is a league at a high quality level and I know that very well."
Neymar joined Al Hilal in 2023, following Messi’s move to Inter Miami, and has yet to make a significant impact on the pitch due to a long-term injury. Despite this, his comments have fueled tensions in France, where Ligue 1 is often criticized for being less competitive compared to the other top five European leagues.
Neymar’s endorsement of Ronaldo’s statement is likely to provoke further backlash in France, where his time at PSG was marked by both brilliance and controversy. However, his remarks also reflect the growing ambition and investment in the Saudi Pro League, which has attracted numerous high-profile players, including Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Sadio Mané.