Ronaldo also said he made the better choice by moving to Saudi, pointing at players flocking to the league as proof
By Kehinde Okeowo
Portugal and Al Nassr striker, Cristiano Ronaldo has aimed a subtle jab at his rival, Lionel Messi after the latter moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami in the United States.
The Argentina captain left the French club as a free agent this summer after snubbing a move to Saudi, where he would have renewed his rivalry with Ronaldo.
Messi was on Sunday presented to cheering crowds at Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium.
The sold-out crowd of about 20,000 waited through downpours and lightning to see the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner given a number 10 shirt.
Speaking to the audience after he was unveiled, the 36-year-old thanked Inter Miami’s supporters and affirmed they share the “same desire”.
He said: “I really want to start training, to compete,” Messi said. “I have the same desire that I always had to compete, to want to win, to help the club continue to grow.
“I am very happy to have chosen to come to play in this city with my family, to choose this project and I have no doubt that we are going to enjoy it a lot.
“We are going to have a good time and very good things are going to happen.”
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However, barely days after Messi was unveiled at his new club, Ronaldo stirred up a controversy, arguing that the Saudi Pro League, where he plays, is better than the Major League Soccer (MLS).
He went on to say he made the better choice and pointed at players flocking to the Middle East as proof.
“Saudi league is better than MLS.
“I opened the way to the Saudi league… and now all the players are coming here,” Ronaldo said.
Messi joined the MLS club on a deal until the end of 2025 and will be reunited with defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets – with whom he played at Barcelona.