Ronaldo vs Messi: Rio Ferdinand picks better league between MLS, Saudi Pro League

Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand has insisted the Saudi Pro League (SPL) is better than Major League Soccer (MLS), suggesting that Cristiano Ronaldo has been unnecessarily criticized in comparison to his longtime rival Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo and Messi have left Europe to embark on new adventures on two different continents.

The Portugal captain headed to SPL giants Al-Nassr in January, while the Argentine captain joined MLS side Inter Miami in July.

Both forwards have been impressive for their respective clubs so far.

“Look at how the media and people dealt with Messi going to America and Cristiano Ronaldo going to Saudi Arabia,” Ferdinand said (via Transfer News Live on X).

“When a player goes to America, you greet him, but when a player goes to Saudi, he is attacked. Do you want to tell me that America is a perfect country?”

He added, “If I had not retired 100%, I would go to Saudi Arabia without thinking and without a doubt. The USA? No, the Saudi Pro League is much better than MLS.”