Former American defender, Alexi Lalas has defended Cristiano Ronaldo over his recent comments about the Saudi Pro League, SPL, being better than the French Ligue 1.
According to Lalas, many people don’t understand because the Saudi league does not get credit, similar to Major League Soccer, MLS.
Ronaldo had made the comment after he was honored with the Best Middle Eastern Player award at a gala in December.
The Al Nassr captain added that in Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain was the only recognised club, “everyone else is finished.”
However, speaking on his podcast, Lalas stated that Ronaldo was right to mention the challenges of playing in the Middle Eastern weather.
He added that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner defending the country and the league was good to see.
“I like that he is defending Saudi Arabia. I like that he has taken this unconventional pathway, notwithstanding how much money he’s making.
“It’s not as traditional as the past, and it has shown him some of the challenges out there—both on and off the field—when playing in leagues that many people don’t fully understand or appreciate,” Lalas said.
He added, “But from an MLS perspective, I can appreciate it. I have always tried to say, whether it’s Saudi Arabia—which, to be clear, I have never played in, though I visited many years ago—or any other league, there are unique challenges that players face which others don’t often consider.
“I can guarantee there are difficulties players encounter there that are hard to comprehend unless you’ve experienced them.”