Ligue 1 uses Messi to mock Ronaldo

In January, after receiving a hat-trick at the Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo said that the Saudi Pro League is better in quality and more competitive than France's Ligue 1, the tournament where Lionel Messi used to play. The Portuguese striker said that Ligue 1 only has PSG and one or two other high-level clubs, while the Saudi Pro League is competitive and growing.

On Dec. 27, when attending this year's Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo reaffirmed this statement.

"The Saudi League is better than Ligue 1, of course. France is only Paris Saint-Germain. The rest is finished. If you don't believe me, try sprinting in 38, 39 and 40 degrees Celsius weather and you'll see," Ronaldo said, as quoted by Marca.

Cristiano Ronaldo at the Globe Soccer Awards on Dec. 27, 2024. Photo by Globe Soccer Awards

Ronaldo stressed that he could not yet win the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr because of the high level of competition, with Al Hilal and Al Ittihad holding the top two positions respectively.

"I believe that we have to push hard to be champions," Ronaldo added. I've been champion everywhere I have and I believe I will be champion, but I've won this trophy for scoring so many goals and assists and maintaining my level."

After a series of negative comments from Ronaldo, the X account of Ligue 1 responded by posting a photo of Messi winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with the caption: "Leo Messi playing in 38 degrees Celsius."

In fact, the temperatures in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup, played in winter, were much more friendly, at around 25 degrees Celsius.

Lionel Messi wins the 2022 World Cup. Photo by Reuters

Messi played for PSG from 2021-2023, scoring 32 goals and assisting 34 times in 75 matches. The Argentine star won Ligue 1 twice and a French Super Cup, but was eliminated in the round of 16 of the Champions League for two consecutive seasons. During his time at PSG, Messi achieved the greatest glory of his career when he won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina.

In the summer of 2023, Messi left PSG to move to the MLS. He has 34 goals and 18 assists in 39 matches, winning the Leagues Cup and the Suppotters' Shield with Inter Miami.

Ronaldo won the Euro and Nations League with Portugal but has never won the World Cup. The 39-year-old striker left Europe for Saudi Arabia in January 2023, and has not won any official collective titles. He has 80 goals and 18 assists in 89 matches for Al Nassr, including a record 35 goals in the 2023-2024 Saudi Pro League season.