Cristiano Ronaldo just took a shot at the MLS | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo has never been one to mince his words. The Portuguese star continues to find the net and grab headlines, but this time around, it wasn't just the actions on the pitch that sent shockwaves across the United States. In a sensational interview with journalist Edu Aguirre, aired on Spanish broadcaster La Sexta, Ronaldo said something bold: Major League Soccer is worse than the Saudi Pro League.

As straightforward as it gets. Teased about whether the American league was worse than the Saudi League, CR7 didn't mince his words: "Of course, of course." In his opinion, a difference between the two competitions is evident, while public opinion keeps on undervaluing Saudi soccer. That was all it took to get debates up and running among MLS fans. But does Ronaldo have a point?

Is the MLS just a "retirement league"?

The reputation for years is that the MLS has been some sort of finishing school for an aging soccer star. David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Andrea Pirlo and Zlatan Ibrahimović had been high-profile names heading out of European elite soccer for a comfortable spell in the States. Even 36-year-old Lionel Messi made his way there upon signing for Inter Miami.

But that's no longer exactly how it has worked. MLS has grown a lot, investing in young talent and developing a more structured competitive system. Players such as Alphonso Davies, Miguel Almirón, and Tyler Adams used the league as a springboard to successful careers in Europe. In addition, promising South American arrivals keep on coming, including World Cup winner Thiago Almada and Orlando City's Facundo Torres. A number of these players have moved to bigger clubs, proving that MLS is no longer just a destination for aging legends.

The "retirement league" stigma is still there, especially when the likes of Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets have decided to see out their careers in the United States. That perception may be one of the reasons Ronaldo views MLS as inferior. But is the level of play really lower than what's in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Pro League rapid growth vs. MLS structure

The Saudi Pro League is not exactly coy about its ambitions. Bankrolled directly by the Saudi government, the league has splurged billions in luring in global soccer superstars. Starting with Neymar, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, Sadio Mané, and Ronaldo himself, the soccer stars have flowed into the Middle East in only a short period of time. The aim: to develop local soccer and raise the country's profile ahead of the World Cup.

Ronaldo's argument is that because these players remain competitive at the highest level, then the Saudi Pro League is automatically stronger than MLS. That, however, is a flawed logic, for big names do not necessarily mean the league is competitive or tactically advanced. In Saudi Arabia, the influx of star players contrasts with a lack of infrastructure in many clubs. The poor pitch quality, general underdevelopment of youth academies, and heavy reliance on foreign players have remained a headache outside the top sides.

Meanwhile, MLS is at a financial disadvantage compared to Saudi Arabia but has put solid building blocks down. It has a salary cap system and some other rules on the books, ensuring greater competitiveness not seen in Saudi soccer. Besides that, it invests highly in the development of its players, which the Saudi Pro League has not done.

Ronaldo's perspective and public perception

When Ronaldo says the Saudi Pro League is better, he also points out how the perception of the league remains negative among people. He says that people run down Saudi soccer while MLS gets more respect simply because it's in the United States.

That argument is fair to some degree. MLS sits atop one of the biggest sports markets in the world, complete with powerful media conglomerates and huge global broadcasting deals. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, fights for credibility as a destination for elite soccer. However, the quality of a league is defined not by its global standing but what it does on the pitch.

Can MLS answer those on the pitch?

The best way for MLS to respond to Ronaldo’s claims is on the field. In recent years, the league has made a statement in international competitions. The Seattle Sounders won the Concacaf Champions League in 2022, breaking Liga MX’s long-standing dominance. Meanwhile, Messi’s Inter Miami claimed the Leagues Cup, defeating top Mexican clubs and proving that American soccer is stronger than ever.

Besides, the top leagues in Europe continue to monitor MLS, with the Premier League, Bundesliga, and LaLiga all making sure to keep a close eye on any emerging talent coming through the ranks in the U.S., which is not yet happening as frequently with Saudi-based players.

If the Saudi Pro League has indeed outshone MLS, as Ronaldo claims, then that will be proven in international competition. To this point, Saudi clubs have done very little of note outside of the Middle East.

Did Ronaldo get it right or go too far?

Cristiano Ronaldo has every right to defend the league he plays in, but his statement is an oversimplification of what is a really complex comparison-the growth models for MLS and Saudi Pro League differ, as do their goals.

While the American league laid a structured foundation-a system meant for long-term building and nurturing-things took off in an interesting way as billions were spent on fast-forwarding the league, signing superstars to quicken its development: the Saudi Pro League.

In the short term, Saudi Arabia's approach might bring attention and attract elite players. But long-term, will this model hold up? If the funding slows down, will clubs have the foundation to maintain a high level of competition?

On the contrary, MLS has taken a path of continuous growth into a league that is adequately strengthened with talent and placed on the map. MLS might not have the instant Saudi Pro League glamour, but it has already shown how capable it is of competing neck and neck with any league arising around the world.

After all, at the end of the day, what really matters in soccer isn't the money spent; it's what happens on the pitch. And in that sense, MLS has already shown it can surprise anyone-even Cristiano Ronaldo.