Roberto De Zerbi bites back at controversial Cristiano Ronaldo comments with clear message

Cristiano Ronaldo recently claimed the Saudi Pro League is superior to Ligue 1 at the Globe Soccer Awards and Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has now responded

Roberto De Zerbi has responded to Cristiano Ronaldo after he claimed the Saudi Pro League is "better than Ligue 1".

Speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo said: "Saudi League is better than Ligue 1, of course. France only has PSG. The rest are finished. Try to sprint in 38, 39, 40 degree weather and see. 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. 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."

De Zerbi currently manages one of the clubs Ronaldo described as "finished", having taken charge of Marseille after he left Brighton at the end of last season. Marseille currently sit second Ligue 1 behind Paris Saint-Germain and De Zerbi believes it is a "stronger league than people outside of France may think".

When asked about Ronaldo's comments, the Italian suggested that league officials may be to blame for the way Ligue 1 is perceived by those who have not been involved with it. "It is a stronger league than people outside of France may think," De Zerbi insisted.

"The players and coaches are very strong, the stadiums are full and the atmospheres are great. Maybe this league is badly promoted or not as well as Premier League, Serie A, LaLiga or Bundesliga. I don't know if this is a communication or a management issue. France is a football-loving country so it's a shame that it's not properly appreciated."

De Zerbi is not the only one to have responded to Ronaldo's claim, with former France international Adil Rami suggesting the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star would get "eaten" if he played in Ligue 1.

He said on his Twitch account: "He talks s***. 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. 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".

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