Manchester United icon Cristiano Ronaldo's subtle swipe at Lionel Messi in Saudi Pro League defence
Former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo took a subtle swipe at Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi as he launched a strong defence of the Saudi Pro League following his move to Al-Nassr.
The 38-year-old joined Al-Nassr in 2022 after his public United fall-out has also taken aim at criticism of the quality of football played in the Middle East - saying he believes the standard is already better than France's top-flight, Ligue 1. France is currently home to one of the most in-demand forwards in Kylian Mbappe and it was where Ronaldo's rival, Lionel Messi, called home for two years.
Messi left Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain for the MLS last year, with many seeing the move as a downgrade from European football. Ronaldo scooped won prizes at the Globe Soccer Awards in Qatar on Friday and quickly leapt to the support of the Saudi Pro League, as it faces scrutiny for the first time since the exodus of Europe's elite in the summer.
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The league threatened to disrupt Premier League teams as interest was cast on their respective stars. Aymeric Laporte, Riyad Mahrez, Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and Allan Saint-Maximin were among those to make the lucrative move to the kingdom, plus then-Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema.
Former Liverpool captain Henderson left after just six months amid reports of unhappiness from the recent arrivals in Saudi Arabia - however, the England international cited 'football reasons' behind his move to Ajax.
"To be honest, I don't think the Saudi Pro League is not
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