Izuchukwu Okosi
CR7 insists Saudi Pro League better than French Ligue 1
Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland, Cristiano Ronaldo and Aitana Bonmati were winners at the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards on Friday night with Haaland named the Best Men’s Player for the year 2023.
Haaland it will be recalled lost out to Lionel Messi in last year’s Ballon D’Or award despite the immense season that the Norwegian had in Manchester City’s treble-winning season.
The Best Women’s Player award was won by Barcelona and Spain midfield star Bonmati.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola guided the City side to the successes of last season and was handed the Best Coach award.
Meanwhile, Al Nassr and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo picked up the Fans’ Favourite award which was voted by fans across the globe.
Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham claimed the Emerging Player award for his impressive seasons at Borrusia Dortmund and Real Madrid.
Meanwhile Ronaldo in an interview with the hosts in the run up to the Awards gala spoke about the competiveness of the Saudi Arabian league.
The former Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus star insists that the Saudi Pro League is way better than the French Ligue 1.
“To be honest, I think the Saudi league is not worse than the French league,” Ronaldo declared.
“In the French league you have two or three teams with a good level, in Arabia you don’t. I think it’s more competitive. I think it is more competitive. You can say what you want, it’s my opinion and I played there for a year so I know what I’m talking about.
“I think we are better than the French league right now. We will keep improving.”
Ronaldo scored an impressive 54 goals for the Gulf club last year 2023, surpassing strikers such as Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
“I was the top scorer this season, imagine beating young animals like Erling Haaland? I’m proud, and I’ll be 39 soon! I like it when people doubt me again and then I’m successful. I’m not affected by criticism,” CR7 enthused.
“I feel very happy at Al Nassr, it’s a big step. Saudi Arabia is in a process, it will take a long time but step by step they will reach the highest level. I think the Saudi Pro League will be among the top three leagues in the world. People in Arabia will be proud,” Ronaldo added.
On plans for possible retirement, Ronaldo noted that it will be soon but also jokes that it could be in the next 10 years.
“With some issues I’ve had on a personal and professional level they make me think in a different way, so I always try to focus on the present, I feel good, I’m fine, I’m still able to score some goals, to help my team, the national team.
“So, I will continue, for now I will continue, when will I finish, I don’t know to be honest, but it will be soon, 10 more years.”
The Portuguese superstar then tipped Manchester City to win the UEFA Champions League again although considers Real Madrid as having a good chance to it also.
“The character, the personality of the players, their coach? For me they are the best. I would highlight the way they deal with difficult moments,” he concluded.
“Manchester City have a good chance of winning the Champions League again,” the Portuguese noted.
Erling Haaland who has been out with a foot injury since City’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa back in December 2023 admits that he cannot wait to be back soon enough from his injury setback as City plot to win the available titles on offer once again.
“I hope [to be back] really soon, because I’m getting a bit sick of not playing,” Haaland stated as he stepped up to the podium to collect his award.
“The people [have helped me settle in and perform at Manchester City]. The manager [Pep Guardiola] is not so bad as well. It’s a fantastic club and the support we get from the administration and the leaders is massive. It’s a nice club and I enjoy being here,” Haaland concluded.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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