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DjQwequ Blog of Sunday, 20 July 2025
Source: Emmanuel Jacob Amissah
Al-Ahli star Riyad Mahrez has respectfully disagreed with Cristiano Ronaldo’s bold claim that the Saudi Pro League is already among the top five leagues in the world.
In a recent interview, the former Manchester City winger acknowledged the growth and ambition of the Saudi league but emphasized that it still has some distance to cover before it can be ranked alongside elite competitions like the English Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1.
“I don’t agree with him,” Mahrez said in response to Ronaldo’s comments. “The top five leagues are still the best, but we’re not far behind them.”
Mahrez, who was among the first wave of high-profile European players to join the Saudi Pro League, stated that the current mission isn’t necessarily to compete head-to-head with the existing giants, but to build a strong foundation for future success.
“The goal isn’t for the league to be among the best in the world immediately, but rather a long-term vision,” he explained. “Players like me, who came in at the beginning, are like pioneers and are helping to make the league stronger. It is already evolving.”
He praised the efforts of league officials and investors, expressing confidence in the future trajectory of Saudi football.
“They (the officials) are trying to achieve this goal, and I believe they will succeed,” Mahrez concluded.
The comments from both Ronaldo and Mahrez highlight the Saudi Pro League’s rising ambition and growing appeal, but also underscore that while progress is being made, global recognition still requires time, development, and consistency on the pitch.
