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‘I won’t return to European football’: Criano Ronaldo says Saudi Pro League is ‘better’ than MLS

Portugal and Al Nassr striker Criano Ronaldo has taken a sly dig on Argentine Lionel Messi, who has joined Inter Miami, saying the Saudi pro League “is better then” Major League Soccer (MLS) and also claimed that the in the recent years, the European football has lost lot of quality.
“The Saudi league is better than MLS,” Ronaldo told reporters after Al Nassr’s 5-0 preseason loss to LaLiga side Celta Vigo in his native Portugal.

First game back for pre season!The hard work starts here!💪🏼💛💙 pic.twitter.com/xyVNdSXmWl
— Criano Ronaldo (@Criano) July 17, 2023
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“They criticized me for coming to Saudi League, but what happened now?
“I opened the way to the Saudi league, and now all the players are coming here,” he said.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in January following an acrimonious departure after his second stint at Manchester United.
In this transfer window several high-profile players have followed Ronaldo’s lead, with Karim Benzema, Marcelo Brozovic, N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, Edouard Mendy, and Kalidou Koulibaly all signing deals to play in the Saudi Pro League.
“My decision to join Saudi clubs was 100% crucial to bring in new top players. It’s a fact.
“In one year, more & more top players will come to Saudi,” said Ronaldo.
“In a year Saudi league will overtake the Turkish league and Dutch league.”
“Players who arrived aren’t like what the president of the European Union said”.
“Jota & Ruben Neves are young players”.
Ronaldo also fired a shot at the European football saying it has lost quality and he will never return to Europe.
“I’m 100 percent sure I won’t return to any European club,” Ronaldo said.
“I’m 38 years old. And European football has lost a lot of quality. The only valid one and still doing good is the Premier League. They’re way ahead of all the other leagues.”

Ronaldo also claimed that the Serie A was dead untill he was signed for Juventus.
“When I joined Juventus, Serie A was dead and then after I signed… it was revived. Wherever Criano goes he generates higher interest”.
Al Nassr will play their second friendly in Portugal on Thursday, taking on domestic champions Benfica.

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