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Don’t expect Cristiano Ronaldo to join Lionel Messi in Major League Soccer any time soon.
Ronaldo called the Saudi Pro League he’s now a part of “better” than the MLS, which Messi officially joined over the weekend as a member of Inter Miami CF.
“In one year, more and more top players will come to Saudi,” Ronaldo said Monday, according to ESPN. “In a year the Saudi league will overtake the Turkish league and Dutch league.”
The 38-year-old Ronaldo debuted this year with Al Nassr. Star players including Karim Benzema and Marcelo Brozovic have since joined the Saudi league as well.
The Portuguese-born Ronaldo played for Portugal’s Sporting CP, England’s Manchester United, Spain’s Real Madrid and Italy’s Juventes before signing with Al Nassr. His 2 ½-year deal with the Saudi club is worth $75 million per year, according to ESPN.
[ Lionel Messi makes it official by signing with Inter Miami and Major League Soccer ]
“I’m 100 percent sure I won’t return to any European club,” Ronaldo said. “I’m 38 years old. And European football has lost a lot of quality. The only valid one and still doing good is the Premier League. They’re way ahead of all the other leagues.”
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Inter Miami introduced Messi, 35, on Sunday. He took part in his first practice with the team Tuesday and is expected to debut Friday against the Mexican club Cruz Azul.
Messi, who last year led Argentina to its third World Cup title and first since 1986, signed a 2 ½-year deal with Miami for between $50 million and $60 million per year.
Peter Sblendorio
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