'Say what they want' - Cristiano Ronaldo launches strong Saudi Arabia defence after Jordan Henderson exit
Cristiano Ronaldo believes the Saudi Pro League is better than France's Ligue 1 following the shock departure of former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
On Thursday, the 33-year-old signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Ajax after ending his stint with Al-Ettifaq, six months in. Henderson's exit came after reports suggested that players were growing unhappy with the standard of football in the Saudi Pro League - Real Madrid icon Karim Benzema and ex-Liverpool star have been linked with moves away.
Ronaldo was one of the first stars to make the move from Europe after ending his second spell with Manchester United to join Al Nassr in 2022. Since making the move to the Middle East, the 38-year-old has scored 38 goals in 44 appearances, adding 13 assists but has yet to pick up silverware in Riyadh - finishing second in his debut season.
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"To be honest, I don't think the Saudi Pro League is not worse than the French league," said Ronaldo at the Globe Soccer Awards.
"In France, you have two or three teams with a good level, in Saudi it's more competitive - they can say whatever they want, it's my opinion, I have played there one year so I know what I'm talking about.
"Right now, I think it's better than the French league, we're still improving. Many players, coaches, directors, even nutritionists, Saudi is in a process - it will take long - but step by step, it will reach the highest level. I believe it will be one of the top three or four (leagues) in the world, but step by step we will reach that."
Henderson ended his 12-year association with Liverpool in
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