'Saudi Pro League is better than MLS' – Ronaldo claims supremacy over Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo has boldly claimed that the Saudi Pro League is superior to Major League Soccer (MLS), just a day after his long-time rival Lionel Messi was unveiled as an Inter Miami player.

Ronaldo, who joined Saudi club Al-Nassr on a lucrative £175 million per year deal, made the controversial remarks after his side lost 5-0 in a pre-season friendly against Celta Vigo.

"The Saudi league is better than the MLS," Ronaldo stated, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

He adds, "I'm 100 per cent sure I won't return to any European club."

The Portuguese superstar noted: "I opened the way to the Saudi league and now all the players are coming here. I won't return to European football, the door is completely closed."

Messi was presented to Inter Miami fans on Sunday, after agreeing to a reported £45 million per year contract with the Florida-based MLS club.

The Argentine’s arrival is seen as a major coup for American soccer.

However, Ronaldo believes the Middle East is now the superior destination.

"I'm 38-years-old, also European football has lost lot of quality," he said.

"The only league that for me has a lot of quality and is at a higher level than all the others is the Premier League. The Spanish league does not have that great quality. I'm sure I won't play in Europe again. I want to play in Saudi Arabia,” Ronaldo stressed.