While Ronaldo was the first of several superstars to take up residency in Saudi Arabia, Messi has arrived in MLS in part to hopefully boost American interest in soccer as part of his legacy, much like Pelé before him. Both have decided to append their legacies onto two ambitious leagues from outside of the sport’s most lucrative continent. While the stories of their careers will almost certainly largely be told by their European and international exploits, the parallels have continued over the last seven months. There’s also a chance that Messi will earn an eighth on the back of his World Cup-winning turn in December. While Messi won two more trophies after Luka Modric’s streak-buster in 2018 to bring his total to seven, Ronaldo won his fifth and almost certain to be final Ballon d’Or in 2017. We may never see a stretch quite like 2008-2017, which saw the two share complete custody of the storied Ballon d’Or trophy without letting a third player win the prize.

Ronaldo and Messi have been inseparable in conversation for the better part of two decades as the two dominated club football in Europe year after year. While these comments were spontaneous, it was also an inevitable question. What was the hand-picked forerunner of Saudi’s sporting revolution supposed to say? That he’d back FC Cincinnati to win the Pro League, too?

The Athletic’s instant analysis: Making sense of Ronaldo’s comments MLS commissioner Don Garber said Sunday he is “not threatened” by the growing influence of the Saudi Professional League in the global football landscape.He will receive around $50 million-$60 million annually, though that includes the value of his equity in the franchise. Messi signed a deal with Inter Miami through 2025 with the option to stay through the 2026 season.According to sources close to Al Nassr, who wish to remain anonymous in order to protect their positions, the club will pay a tenth of that wage, with the rest covered by the Saudi state. Ronaldo, the highest-paid player in the world, makes £175 million ($217.4 million) a year.

“I think that Arabia is a much better league than the United States.” “No,” he replied after his team’s 5-0 defeat in a friendly against La Liga club Celta Vigo. Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr of the Saudi Pro League, was asked about potentially joining Lionel Messi in MLS.Cristiano Ronaldo told members of the media Monday that the Saudi Professional League is superior to Major League Soccer.

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