Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments on Ligue 1’s quality sparked a sharp response from the French league, involving Lionel Messi’s World Cup heroics in Qatar.

Cristiano Ronaldo found himself in the spotlight once again after making bold comments about Ligue 1 during the Globe Soccer Awards. The Portuguese star criticized the French league, comparing it unfavorably to the Saudi Pro League, citing differences in quality and the challenging weather conditions in Saudi Arabia. The response from Ligue 1 was swift and stinging, with a pointed reference to Lionel Messi.

On social media, Ligue 1 posted a picture of Lionel Messi from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, captioned: “This is how Lionel Messi played at 38°C.” The image highlighted Messi’s performance in extreme heat, where he led Argentina to World Cup glory, while Portugal exited in the quarter-finals against Morocco.

Ronaldo’s remark about the Saudi heat was part of his broader defense of the Saudi Pro League’s growing stature. He also claimed that France’s Ligue 1 is overly reliant on Paris Saint-Germain, a statement that isn’t entirely off the mark. PSG currently holds a commanding 10-point lead at the top of the table.

The French league’s playful but sharp response adds another layer to the ongoing debate about the relative quality of domestic leagues and the growing influence of football in Saudi Arabia.

Leo Messi jugando con 38 grados 🌟🇦🇷🐐 pic.twitter.com/2AWglqm8zk

— Ligue 1 Español (@Ligue1_ESP) December 28, 2024