Saudi Pro League Debate: Mahrez Corrects Ronaldo on League Standard | World Top 5?

In a debate that has captured the attention of the football world, Riyad Mahrez has strongly refuted the claims of Cristiano Ronaldo, who asserted that the Saudi Pro League is already among the 'top five' divisions on the planet.

• Mahrez offers a more measured view: “We are not that far away.”
• Ronaldo had sparked controversy by comparing the SPL with Ligue 1
• The former Manchester City star calls the league's leading figures "pioneers."

WHAT HAPPENED?

The debate was reignited during an interview between Al-Ahli star Riyad Mahrez and the prestigious French newspaper L'Equipe. The paper seized the opportunity to ask his opinion on the earlier comments made by Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who had declared that "the Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1" and that "in France, they only have PSG," generating considerable controversy. Mahrez's response, far from echoing the Portuguese superstar's sentiments, offered a dose of realism.

THE BIG PICTURE

The former Manchester City and Leicester City winger adopted a much more diplomatic and analytical stance. For him, the English Premier League, the German Bundesliga, the Spanish La Liga, the Italian Serie A, and the French Ligue 1 remain, without question, the five elite competitions in world football. However, this did not prevent him from expressing his optimism and conviction in the Saudi Pro League project , stating that the SPL is on a clear upward trajectory. Mahrez also had words of praise for Ronaldo and other stars like Neymar, Kanté, and Benzema, who arrived in the massive 2023 transfer campaign, describing them all as “pioneers” of a new era in Middle Eastern football.

WHAT MAHREZ SAID

When asked directly by L'Equipe if he agreed with Ronaldo's statement about the 'top five', Mahrez was blunt: "No. I think the five major European leagues are ahead, and after them, we can start competing with the other leagues."

“We're not far off, to be honest,” the Algerian continued. “Besides, the goal isn't to be the best league in the world right now. We're thinking long-term. Those of us who have arrived are at the beginning of this adventure; we're a bit like pioneers. We're helping this league become stronger. And, frankly, in my two seasons here, I've felt real progress in the teams, the coaches, the tactics, and the organization. They're making the effort to get to that level, and I believe they will achieve it. They're putting in all their effort and they truly want it.”

ANALYSIS: TWO VISIONS OF THE SAME REALITY

Ronaldo and Mahrez's perspectives, while distinct, are not necessarily contradictory, but rather reflect their roles in the Saudi Pro League project . Cristiano's vision, as the main ambassador and the figure who sparked the revolution, has a crucial promotional component to attract attention and validate the investment. On the other hand, Mahrez's opinion is that of an elite competitor who offers a technical and realistic assessment of the current state of the competition, acknowledging the gap that still exists with Europe but validating the progress from within. Both perspectives are fundamental to understanding the rapid and ambitious transformation of football in Saudi Arabia.

WHATS NEXT?

Both Mahrez and Ronaldo are destined to remain key pillars in raising the SPL's competitive standard with their respective clubs in the 2025-26 season. Despite recent speculation about a possible exit, it has been confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will remain at Al-Nassr, fulfilling his £178 million-a-year contract, reaffirming his commitment to the project. Meanwhile, Mahrez will look to lead Al-Ahli to the top, in a league that promises to continue to be talked about.