Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo says the Saudi Pro League is “better” than MLS and he has no plans to play in the United States or return to a European team.
Ronaldo spoke to the media after playing the first half of Al Nassr’s 5-0 pre-season loss to LaLiga side Celta Vigo in his native Portugal.
“The Saudi Arabian league is better than MLS,” said the Portuguese star when asked about a move to the United States, as was former Spanish rival Lionel Messi, who was introduced as a player for United States Inter on Sunday’s Miami CF.
Ronaldo, who was substituted at half-time in the 0-0 draw, added: “I went to the Saudi league and now all the players come here.”
The 38-year-old is entering his first full season with Al Nassr since joining the club last January after a poor start to his second season at Manchester United.
So far this summer, a number of top players have actually followed in Ronaldo’s footsteps, with Karim Benzema, Marcelo Brozovic, N’Golo Kante and Roberto Firmino, among others, all signed to play in the Saudi Pro League.
Former Inter Milan player Brozovic joined Ronaldo on Monday after joining Al Nassr on July 3.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker also said his playing time in Europe was over and he believed the level of his game had dropped in recent years.
“I am 100% sure I will not return to any European club,” said Ronaldo. “I am 38 years old. And European football has lost a lot of quality. The only thing that is valid and still good is the Premier League. They are way ahead of all the other leagues.”
It will also be the first game at Celta Vigo for former Valencia and Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez, who was signed by the Spanish club in June after finishing 13th in LaLiga last term.
Al Nassr will play their second friendly in Portugal on Thursday, against national champions Benfica.
“The plan is for me to play 45 minutes today,” said Ronaldo. “The game against Benfica, I played about 60 or 70 minutes. It’s better to improve the engine little by little to get the best performance.”
