Cristiano Ronaldo has become the face of Saudi Arabian soccer since arriving in 2022, playing a key role in the Saudi Pro League’s rapid rise in visibility and investment. However, Al Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez has pushed back on Ronaldo’s bold claim that the SPL is among the world’s top five leagues.
In December 2024, Ronaldo was a featured guest at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, where he received honors for Best Middle East Player and Top Goal Scorer of All Time. During the event, the Portuguese star made headlines for declaring that the Saudi league had surpassed France’s Ligue 1 in quality:
“The Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1, of course. I’m not saying that because I play here. People should come and see for themselves. Try sprinting at full speed in 38, 39, or 40 degrees. In France, there’s only one club; the rest are dead. PSG have the money and the best players, and no one can come close to them.”
The comments stirred debate across the soccer world about whether Saudi Arabia’s top flight could truly rival Europe’s elite leagues. The discussion reignited after Al Hilal’s stunning win over Manchester City in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16—a symbolic moment for Saudi soccer’s growing ambitions.
What did Mahrez say?
Despite Ronaldo’s confident stance, not every SPL star shares the same view. Speaking to L’Équipe, former Manchester City midfielder Riyad Mahrez was asked directly whether he agreed with Ronaldo’s assessment—and offered a blunt reality check:
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“No. I believe the five major European leagues are still ahead, and then we can start competing with the rest. I don’t think we’re very far off. But the goal isn’t to be the best league in the world right now—it’s to think long-term,” addressed Mahrez, who joined Al Ahli in 2023, emphazising that the league is still in its early stages of development, but with promising signs of growth and investment.
“Those of us who, like me, have arrived here are part of the beginning of this adventure; we’re a bit like pioneers. We’re helping to strengthen this league. And honestly, during my two seasons, I’ve seen progress in the teams, coaches, tactics, and organization. They’re trying to reach that level, and I think they will. They’re making the effort and truly want it,” he concluded.
A Champions League winner with City, Mahrez’s remarks reflect both optimism and realism—acknowledging Saudi Arabia’s progress, but also the long road ahead to catch Europe’s most established competitions.
