CRISTIANO RONALDO has been told to “shut up” by Chelsea legend Frank Leboeuf.
The Portuguese, 39, ruffled feathers with his recent comments about Ligue 1.
Back in January, the former Manchester United star made the staggering claim that the Saudi Pro League is better than the French top flight.
Frenchman Leboeuf, 56, was not impressed by Ronaldo’s claim at all – and believes there was one reason alone that the Al-Nassr striker chose which division to target.
He told BetVictor: “It annoys me when I hear Cristiano Ronaldo saying that the Saudi Pro League is better than Ligue 1.
“Why do you think he chose to make that comment about Ligue 1 rather than the Portuguese League?
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“It’s because Lionel Messi played in Ligue 1. I have lots of respect for him as a player but come on, just shut up! It is unfair to Ligue 1.”
Ronaldo had said: “Saudi League is not worse than Ligue 1.
“Saudi Pro League is more competitive than Ligue 1, I can say that after one year spent there. We are better than the French league already now.”
Leboeuf then claimed that Portugal can win the Euros this summer… but not if Ronaldo is involved.
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He continued: “For me, Portugal are actually one of the contenders for this summer’s European Championships.
“I actually think they can win the Euros, but only if Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t play.
“You cannot take away anything that Ronaldo has done for football just because he has gone to retire in the Saudi League.
“I want to thank him for taking the sport to another level, but there is an end for everyone.
“He has every right to play in Saudi Arabia, although I’m not sure he needed even more money!”
Leboeuf, who became an actor after hanging up his boots, then had kind words for both Messi and Ronaldo.
He added: “I have no problem with players coming to the end of their careers going to play in lesser leagues to earn more money, the same has happened with Lionel Messi.
“Both of them were fantastic players but they have chosen not to play at the top level anymore and we have to respect that.
“You can never take away what they have done for football.
“The competition between those two actually made the entire sport better. It made it more attractive.
“Thank you Ronaldo, thank you Messi, enjoy your retirement!”
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Ronaldo has scored 42 goals and laid on a further 13 assists in 48 appearances for Al-Nassr since leaving European football behind.
Messi, meanwhile, has 14 goals and six assists in 17 games for MLS side Inter Miami.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
