Former Premier League star Ruben Neves has defended the Saudi Professional League (SPL) after Cristiano Ronaldo handed 900 profession objectives.
Neves, 27, moved to Al-Hilal final summer season regardless of curiosity from a number of Premier League sides as he grew to become the most recent participant to go to the SPL.
His switch got here after Ronaldo was the primary main title to maneuver to the Center East, however the Portuguese famous person’s time with Al-Nassr has been accompanied by claims that he’s enjoying in a so-called ‘simpler’ league and is now not the star he as soon as was.
Ronaldo has scored 62 objectives and added 17 assists in simply 68 video games for the Saudi facet, but he was additionally closely criticised at Euro 2024 after he failed to attain as Portugal crashed out on the quarter-final stage to France.
Nonetheless, the 39-year-old netted his 900th and 901st profession objectives in opposition to Croatia and Scotland in latest days and Neves insisted that Ronaldo’s continued success demonstrates the energy of the SPL.
Ruben Neves has defended Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese star handed 900 objectivesÂ
Ronaldo netted in opposition to Croatia and Scotland however has confronted important criticism in recent times
The 39-year-old has been accused of enjoying in a so-called ‘simpler’ league with Al-Nassr
‘I invite these folks [critics] to look at Saudi soccer,’ Neves, who gained the league with Al-Hilal final season, mentioned.
The previous Wolves captain even went on to trace that the usual within the Center East shouldn’t be removed from the Premier League.
He added: ‘I’ve mentioned this just a few instances – in the event you evaluate my GPS information from English soccer to Saudi soccer, I run much more, however with the distinction that I run in 40 levels [Celsius].Â
‘I’m in fine condition bodily. Each Cristiano and I proved that Saudi soccer has high quality.’
Ronaldo’s 900th purpose got here in opposition to Croatia, earlier than his 901st was a late winner in opposition to Scotland on Monday and the Al-Nassr star has shortly set his sights on changing into the primary ever participant to achieve 1,000 profession objectives.
And Neves – who’s a team-mate of Ronaldo’s at worldwide stage – felt that was most definitely a practical goal for his nation’s best ever participant.
‘In fact it’s attainable,’ the midfielder added. ‘He’s already on purpose 901 and with Cristiano something is feasible.’
Neves performs for SPL champions Al-Hilal and urged critics of the league to ‘have a look at the information’Â
Neves has shortly set his sights on changing into the primary participant in historical past to attain 1,000 objectives
In the meantime, talking final yr, Ronaldo – who has 132 objectives in 214 worldwide caps – echoed Neves’ ideas that the SPL is a robust league, and equally felt it may turn out to be the most effective divisions on this planet.
‘I feel different small issues they should enhance,’ he mentioned. ‘However I’m joyful right here, I need to proceed right here, I’ll proceed right here.Â
‘And for my part in the event that they proceed to do the work that they need to do right here, for the subsequent 5 years, I feel the Saudi league generally is a high 5 league on this planet.’
Neves’ Al-Hilal are presently high of the SPL after two wins from two, whereas Al-Nassr and Ronaldo have 4 factors from their first two video games.Â