Cristiano Ronaldo famously stated, “The Saudi league is superior to the MLS.” This comment sparked intense debates and discussions about the quality of these two leagues. Now, in a move that will surely fuel the debate further, a popular midfielder has reportedly chosen to leave the MLS and join Saudi side Al Hazem, who currently sits at 18th place in the RSL. Could this decision be inspired by CR7’s success with Al Nassr?
The player in question is Junior Moreno, a Venezuelan midfielder. At 30 years old, he is an experienced player who has spent six seasons in the MLS. After making a name for himself in the Venezuelan first division, he joined DC United in 2018. Moreno played a crucial role for the team, making at least 20 appearances in each of his four seasons with DC United. He then moved to FC Cincinnati, where he had an outstanding 2023 season that contributed to the team winning the Supporters Shield. Given his success, Moreno’s decision to transfer seems puzzling.
Junior Moreno has been announced as a new player for Al Hazem in the Saudi first division, marking the end of his six-year stint in the MLS. He previously played for DC United and FC Cincinnati during that period. We will now see him facing off against Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates. 🛡️
Why would Moreno leave FC Cincinnati to join the last-placed team in the Roshn Saudi League? The most likely explanation could be the project being developed in the Middle East. Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer, with a deal worth over $500 million, has been a significant turning point for soccer in the region. His arrival has influenced many other stars, such as Karim , , and Roberto Firmino, to follow suit. It was even who once said, “Cristiano Ronaldo influenced many players to come to Saudi Arabia and play here.”
Additionally, the recent Riyadh Season Cup showcased the Saudi League’s strength. Al Nassr and Al Hilal handed thrashings to Inter Miami, a team that boasts Lionel Messi. Perhaps all of this played a role in Moreno’s decision to join the booming Roshn Saudi League. However, is Cristiano Ronaldo’s claim that the Saudi League is better than the MLS accurate? Let’s find out.
While Cristiano Ronaldo believes that the Roshn Saudi League surpasses the MLS, let’s take a comprehensive look. Opta rankings place Al Hilal and Al Nassr ahead of any MLS side, with rankings of 58 and 68, respectively. However, this is where Saudi dominance ends.
The third-best Saudi side, Al Ittihad (ranked 202), is surpassed by five MLS teams. Furthermore, the majority of MLS clubs are ranked within the top 300, while most Saudi clubs are ranked outside of this range. Therefore, it appears that MLS clubs perform better than their Saudi counterparts in the club rankings.
Do you agree with Cristiano Ronaldo’s claim? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
According to the Source essentiallysports.com