Cristiano Ronaldo told to 'shut up' by French legend after controversial comments

Cristiano Ronaldo has been told to 'shut up' by a French legend after he made a controversial claim about the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo has been playing for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr for the past 14 months, joining the club as a free agent following his departure from Manchester United.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner's move to the Gulf State preceded a wave of Premier League players joining Saudi Pro League sides.

Ronaldo is the highest paid footballer on the planet and he has adapted well to life in Saudi Arabia both on and off the pitch, although he recently served a one-match suspension for making an obscene gesture towards opposition supporters.

On several occasions the 39-year-old has hit back at criticism of the quality of the Saudi Pro League.

In January Ronaldo said: "The Saudi league is not worse than Ligue 1. The Saudi Pro League is more competitive than Ligue 1, I can say that after one year spent there. We are better than the French league already now."

That comment angered a lot of people, including former France and Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf.

"It annoys me when I hear Cristiano Ronaldo saying that the Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1," the World Cup winner told BetVictor.

"Why do you think he chose to make that comment about Ligue 1 rather than the Portuguese League?

Cristiano Ronaldo- Getty

"It’s because Lionel Messi played in Ligue 1. I have lots of respect for him as a player but come on, just shut up! It is unfair to Ligue 1."

Leboeuf also argued that Ronaldo should not be part of Portugal's team for the upcoming Euros in Germany.

"For me, Portugal are actually one of the contenders for this summer’s European Championships. I actually think they can win the Euros, but only if Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t play.

"You cannot take away anything that Ronaldo has done for football just because he has gone to retire in the Saudi League.

"I want to thank him for taking the sport to another level, but there is an end for everyone. He has every right to play in Saudi Arabia, although I’m not sure he needed even more money!"

Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Saudi Pro League, Ligue 1, Lionel Messi, Portugal

Alex Brotherton

Alex Brotherton is a Sports Trends Writer at SPORTbible. He has previously worked with publications including the Manchester Evening News, GOAL and BBC Sport. He is a football fanatic, but also dabbles in tennis and American football. He enjoys running, cooking and watching non-league football.

@alex_brotherton