In a series of remarks at the Globe Soccer Awards, Cristiano Ronaldo ignited controversy by dismissing Ligue 1’s competitiveness, asserting that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is the only noteworthy club in France. The Portuguese star, honoured as the best player in the Middle East for his 2024 performances with Al-Nassr, did not hold back during the live interview, taking aim at French football and comparing it unfavourably to the Saudi Pro League.
When asked about the strength of the Saudi league relative to Ligue 1, Ronaldo responded unequivocally, “The Saudi league is better than Ligue 1, of course. France only has PSG. The rest is over.” He added, “It is my opinion, and I have never hidden it. France is only PSG, sorry. Other teams try to compete, but PSG is the most powerful.”
Ronaldo’s statements quickly reverberated across the footballing world, drawing strong reactions, particularly from AS Monaco, one of Ligue 1’s most prominent clubs. Monaco wasted no time responding to Ronaldo’s comments, taking to their official X (formerly Twitter) account to post a humorous rebuttal. The club shared a GIF of Michael Scott from the TV show The Office, featuring a blank, bewildered expression, captioned simply, “what?”. The post went viral, earning widespread applause from fans for its humour.
Supporters of Monaco and Ligue 1 quickly rallied behind the club’s clever response, with many praising their ability to counter Ronaldo’s critique. Some fans also pointed out that Ronaldo’s perspective on Ligue 1 might be influenced by PSG’s recent dominance rather than the league’s overall quality.
Ronaldo’s remarks reignited discussions about the balance of power in Ligue 1. While PSG has dominated the league, securing 10 of the last 12 titles, AS Monaco remains one of the few clubs to have disrupted Parisian supremacy, famously clinching the championship in the 2016-17 season.
Fans and analysts argue that clubs like Monaco, Olympique Lyonnais, and Olympique de Marseille continue to produce competitive football, challenge PSG, and develop emerging talent, even if the financial gap makes it difficult to maintain consistent title races.
Ronaldo’s assertion about the Saudi Pro League’s superiority to Ligue 1 also raises questions about global perceptions of football leagues. The Saudi league, buoyed by high-profile signings including Ronaldo himself, has been gaining international attention, but many still view Europe’s top leagues as the pinnacle of club football.
While Ligue 1 remains firmly in the spotlight, the ongoing debate about its depth and competitiveness persists. Ronaldo’s pointed comments and Monaco’s response highlight the broader tension between perception and reality in evaluating football leagues.
Image courtesy of @FabrizioRomano on X
