Cristiano Ronaldo made headlines at the Globe Soccer Awards with a bold statement about France's Ligue 1, claiming that the Saudi Pro League boasts a higher level of competition. Following his remarks, Ligue 1 fired back, bringing Lionel Messi into the conversation.

What Did Cristiano Ronaldo Say?

"The Saudi League is better. If you don’t believe me, try running in 38 to 40-degree heat and see for yourself," Ronaldo declared during the Globe Soccer Awards. His comments sparked a swift response from the French league.

Ligue 1’s Sharp Reply

"Lionel Messi playing in 38-degree heat," read a post on the official Spanish account of Ligue 1, accompanied by a photo of Messi holding the World Cup trophy he won in Qatar—a neighboring country of Saudi Arabia. The post was seen as a direct rebuttal to Ronaldo’s remarks, which appeared to undermine the quality of the French competition.

Ronaldo’s Ongoing Criticism of Ligue 1

This isn’t the first time the Portuguese superstar has cast doubt on the level of Ligue 1. Previously, Ronaldo expressed surprise at the quality of play in the Saudi Pro League, even suggesting it could rival some of Europe’s top leagues, including Ligue 1.

"To be honest, I don’t think the Saudi League is worse than the French league, in my opinion. In French football, there are only two or three teams with a good level, while in Saudi Arabia, we’re more competitive overall," Ronaldo stated months ago.