'They'll get there' - Riyad Mahrez disagrees with Cristiano Ronaldo

Al-Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez has offered a measured but clear response to Cristiano Ronaldo’s claims that the Saudi Pro League (SPL) is now one of the top five football leagues in the world, ahead of even France's Ligue 1.

Ronaldo has repeatedly stated his belief that the Saudi Pro League (SPL) is already among the top five football leagues in the world, or is rapidly on its way to becoming one.

He initially made this bold claim in May 2023, shortly after joining Al-Nassr, suggesting the league was "getting better" and "step by step, I think this league will be the top five leagues in the world. But they need time, they need players, they need infrastructure."

More recently, in June 2025, after signing a new two-year contract with Al-Nassr, Ronaldo reiterated his conviction.

He told Al-Nassr's official media team, "Of course, we [the Saudi Pro League] are still improving but I believe that in this moment that we are in top five [leagues in the world] already."

He added, "Only the people who have never played in Saudi, they don't understand nothing about football say this league is not top five [in the world]. I believe 100% in my words, and the people that play in this league they know what I am talking about."

Speaking to French outlet L'Équipe, Mahrez, who joined Al-Ahli in 2023 following a trophy-laden spell at Manchester City, diplomatically disagreed with Ronaldo’s bold assertion.

Instead, he maintained that the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1 still hold the top spots in world football.

“No. I think the five big European leagues are ahead, and then we can start to compete with the other leagues,” Mahrez said.

Although the Algerian star pushed back on the SPL being among the elite leagues just yet, he acknowledged the rapid development and ambitious long-term vision behind Saudi Arabia's football revolution.

“We’re not too far off, I think. Those like me who have arrived are here at the beginning of this adventure. We’re a bit like pioneers. We’re helping them make this league stronger.”

“Over my two seasons, I’ve felt progress in the teams, the coaches, the tactics and the organisation. They’re trying to get there, and I think they’ll get there. They’re putting in the effort and they really want it," he concluded.

Mahrez and Ronaldo are expected to remain with their respective clubs heading into the 2025-26 season.