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CRISTIANO RONALDO caused a stir when he claimed that the Saudi Pro League had already surpassed the MLS.
The Portuguese ace made the move to the Middle East in December, kick-starting a series of high-profile transfers to the region, while Lionel Messi rejected the chance in favour of a switch to the MLS.
Getty
GettyThe two rivals are approaching the end of their careers but will still want to prove they can be the stars of their respective leagues.
But Ronaldo believes he has a harder task than his Argentinian nemesis.
He said: “The Saudi league is better than the MLS.
“I’m 100 per cent sure I won’t return to any European club. I opened the way to the Saudi league and now all the players are coming here. I won’t return to European football, the door is completely closed.
“I’m 38-years-old, also European football has lost lot of quality. The only league that for me has a lot of quality and is at a higher level than all the others is the Premier League.
“The Spanish league does not have that great quality. The Portuguese league is a good league, but it is not a top, top league.
“The German league I think has also lost a lot. I’m sure I won’t play in Europe again. I want to play in Saudi Arabia.
“In one year, more and more top players will come to Saudi. In a year the Saudi league will overtake the Turkish league and Dutch league.”
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The Saudi Pro League has seen a mass of investment since Ronaldo’s arrival in December with stars such as Karim Benzema, Roberto Firmino, Ruben Neves and N’Golo Kante making the move.
While other players such as Jordan Henderson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Fabinho are also thought to be closing on moves of their own.
Although the MLS has seen some top players join its league in recent years, besides Messi of course.
Sergio Busquets has also joined Messi in Miami following his exit from Barcelona.
And Miami are not done yet as they are close to signing more of Messi’s old team-mates with Luis Saurez and Jordi Alba being tipped with moves of their own.
Here is how the two league’s ultimate XI could look after the end of the summer transfer window:
Saudi Pro League XI
GK – Eduoard Mendy
In goal for the Saudi Pro League is former Chelsea ace and goalkeeper of the year Edouard Mendy.
The Champions League winner, 31, made the move to Al-Ahli this summer after falling out of favour at Stamford Bridge.
CB – Kalidou Koulibaly
Another former Chelsea star, Koulibaly, 32, is the first pick in a back three.
The Senegal defender was largely underwhelming last season but could be an imposing defender in the Saudi league after he joined Al-Hilal.
CB – Ahmed Helgazy
A player that has been plying his trade in Saudi for the last three years following his initial loan switch from West Brom in 2020.
Helgazy, 32, has starred for Al-Ittihad and even won the club their ninth title last season after he refused to leave the pitch after an injury.
CB – Fabinho
PAFabinho, 29, is yet to complete his move to Al-Ittihad but it seems that it is only a matter of time.
The Liverpool midfielder would be more than capable of filling in the last defender role as part of a back three.
CDM – N’Golo Kante
Another Chelsea man that has made the move to Saudi Arabia.
Kante, 32, joined Al-Ittihad on a free transfer and if he can stay fit could become one of the best players in the division.
CDM – Ruben Neves
Neves might have been the first transfer to see a player move to the Saudi Pro League that shocked people.
Still only 26, Neves was expected to join a Champions League club from Wolves but as Barcelona never made a move he opted for Saudi.
LW – Allan Saint-Maximin
The Newcastle winger will start off the attacking options in the team.
Saint-Maximin, 26, has not completed his deal yet, but it is expected that he will leave the Magpies for £40million and move to the Middle East.
CAM – Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
ReutersAnother player that has been a long-term target of Champions League clubs, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, 28, makes the team.
The attacking midfielder left Lazio for Al-Hilal in a £34million transfer despite only having one year left on his contract in Italy.
RW – Roberto Firmino
Firmino, 31, completed his move to Al-Ahli on a free transfer after leaving Liverpool after his contract expired.
The Brazilian forward can slot in on the right as he has been pipped to the two striker roles.
ST – Karim Benzema
GettyBenzema, 35, is the first striker and still has plenty of quality despite his advancing years.
The Frenchman has been one of the best forwards in Europe over the last 14 years, helping Real Madrid dominate European competition.
He joined Al-Ittihad on a free transfer and will pocket a stunning £342million.
ST – Cristiano Ronaldo
The man that seemingly started it all off. Ronaldo has netted 14 goals in 19 games since his arrival at Al-Nassr in December.
Ronaldo, 38, is enjoying his time in the Middle East as he revealed that he has no plans to return to Europe.
MLS XI
GK – Roman Burki
The former Borussia Dortmund No1 has been in the MLS since leaving Germany in 2022.
Burki, 32, has been included in the league’s All-Star team for 2023 after his impressive performances.
CB – Jordi Alba
Alba, 34, has finally joined Inter Miami after weeks of speculation.
The ageing defender made the move out of Barcelona as part of the club’s efforts to trim their wage bill.
CB – Giorgio Chiellini
Getty Images - GettyThe Italian legend, 38, is still contracted to Los Angeles FC despite retiring from international football last year.
Chiellini had an illustrious career in Europe as he won multiple honours at club and international levels.
CB – Matt Miazga
Miazga, 28, is a regular in the USA national team but was also on the books of Chelsea for six years.
He joined the Blues in 2016 but spent much of his time out on loan as he only featured twice in the Premier League during his six-year spell.
LW – Thiago Almada
Almada is one of the stars in MLS as he is also a full international for Argentina and was part of the World Cup winning squad.
The Atlanta ace is a more natural central midfielder but for this team he can provide some quality on the wing.
CM – Sergio Busquets
ReutersAnother Barcelona hero, Busquets joined Inter Miami following his exit from the Spanish giants.
The Spaniard is the perfect man to control the midfield in this team.
CM – Riqui Puig
Puig is yet another star from Barcelona to have made the move to the MLS.
The LA Galaxy midfielder is still only 23 but has already developed into one of the top players in the league.
RW – Lorenzo Insigne
The former Napoli ace made the move to the MLS in 2022 when he joined Toronto.
Since making the switch he has netted ten goals in 27 games from the wing.
LF – Luis Suarez
AFPSuarez is yet to officially join the MLS but he has also been tipped with a switch to Inter Miami.
Suarez player with Alba, Busquets, Puig and Messi during his time at the Nou Camp so will have plenty of reunions should he make the move.
RF – Lionel Messi
Without a doubt the biggest import into the MLS since David Beckham, Messi is a certain addition to the team.
Messi was announced as an Inter Miami player after he joined the club on a free transfer after his contract at PSG expired.
ST – Christian Benteke
The former Liverpool, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace forward has become one of the top strikers in North America since his move in 2022.
Benteke, 32, joined DC United and has been a regular goalscorer for Wayne Rooney‘s side and could improve more with Messi and Saurez on either side of him.
So that’s the two fantasy sides. As for who would win… we’ll let you decide.
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