Alexi Lalas, a former US men’s football team defender, has gone on his podcast to defend football legend Cristiano Ronaldo over his comments on the Saudi Pro League, SPL, being better than the French Ligue 1.
He said that the Saudi League is similar to Major League Soccer, as neither team gets promotional credit for their football.
Ronaldo, who is Al Nassr’s captain, was awarded the Best Middle Eastern Player at the Globe Soccer gala in December. He made some comments when he was interviewed, and part of it is that in Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain was the only recognized club; “everyone else is finished.”
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.”
Lalas played for the USA men’s team in the 1994 World Cup. His career spans across LA Galaxy, Sporting Kansas City, New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution and Calcio Padova.
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