Supporters believe Lionel Messi has responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s remarks against Ligue 1, and they may be right.
At Friday’s Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Ronaldo, 39, who presently plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, was a special guest. The ceremony honors the accomplishments of players in the game.
The former forward for Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Sporting CP has won six gongs, making him the most successful player at the awards since they started in 2013. He was invited to take the stage this time to discuss a number of football-related subjects.
While entertaining those gathered at the ceremony, he praised the quality of the SPL compared to other leagues, such as Ligue 1.
“The French league?” said Ronaldo.
“Of course [it is worse]. I don’t say that because I play there [in Saudi Arabia]. They [people] should go there and play there, to see.
“To run in 38, 39, 40 degrees and sprint a few times, just to see how they’re going to be. Don’t believe in my words – go there and see.
“Only in France is PSG, the rest is finished.”
Given that the Paris-based team controls French football, one could argue that despite the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s scathing remarks, there is some truth to them.
The Parisians have won five French League cups, seven French Cups, and 10 league crowns since the club was acquired by Qatari Emir Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani in June 2011.
Luis Enrique’s team has won 12 of their 16 league games this season, putting them ten points ahead of second-place Marseille at the top of the French top division.
PSG is, of course, one of Messi’s former teams.
Before departing for Inter Miami, the Argentinean scored 32 goals in 75 games while playing for the team from 2021 to 2023. However, supporters believe he has jumped to his former club’s defence.
Messi appeared to be opening a bottle of “GOAT” wine in a photo he uploaded to his Instagram story yesterday. Although this might just be a coincidence, supporters quickly pointed out that it might be a “dig” at Ronaldo.
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One said: “At least he’s not on interviews ranting about MLS being better than Ligue 1 – GOAT for a reason.”
A second added: “Don’t let Ronaldo see this.”
While a third commented: “Messi is the meanest without even saying a word.”