Featured Image Credit: Getty/Ligue 1
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Ligue 1, Saudi Pro League, Football
Nasir Jabbar
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Ligue 1, Saudi Pro League, Football
Adil Rami has called out Cristiano Ronaldo's disparaging comments about Ligue 1, claiming he'd get 'eaten alive' in France.
Ronaldo received two awards at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai last Friday.
He collected the Best Middle Eastern Player and the Top Goalscorer of All Time awards before giving a wide-ranging interview, where he spoke about this season's Champions League campaign and his old side Manchester United.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner also took aim at France's Ligue 1, stating the Saudi Pro League is a 'better' league.
"Saudi League is better than Ligue 1, of course," he said. "France only has PSG. The rest are finished. Try to sprint in 38, 39, 40 degree weather and see...
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"It is difficult to become champion in Saudi. This year Al-Hilal are better, Al-Ittihad are top of the league, but I believe that we have to push hard to be champions."
The 39-year-old, who joined Al Nassr from Man United, added: "I've been champion everywhere I have (played) and I believe I will be champion, but I've won this trophy for scoring so many goals and assists and maintaining my level."
An official Ligue 1 social media account ruthlessly hit back at Ronaldo as they aimed a Lionel Messi dig.
And Rami, who made his name in French football, playing for the likes of Marseille and Lille, has also responded to the Real Madrid legend's comments.
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The former French international said Ronaldo 'talks sh*t' and claimed the superstar forward would get 'eaten alive' in Ligue 1.
Speaking on a Twitch live stream, he exclaimed: "He talks sh*t. You want me to show you images of the defenders in Saudi Arabia. It's not because he's had a crazy career that as soon as he says something it's the truth.
"I think it's a PR stunt. We have defenders, they are machines! You put him in Ligue 1 and he gets eaten.
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"Cristiano Ronaldo, you know, I'm a fan. I'm Team Cristiano Ronaldo but he made a mistake. When he says that the Saudi championship is better than the one in France, he brings a lot of people with him."