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    Inside football’s greatest cup competition where upsets are encouraged with minnows set to take on £3.5bn giants

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    EVERY year debates rage over whether the FA Cup can ever regain its “magic”.But over in France, their domestic competition is going from strength-to-strength.Stade Briochin produced a sensational upset in the last roundCredit: AFPThe lower-league side are set to take on PSGCredit: AFPUpon first inspection, you might wonder what the big deal is: after all, Paris Saint-Germain have won it 15 times, Marseille on 10 occasions.But look a little closer, and you’ll see a competition that consistently delivers drama, upsets and “magic”, every single season.This season’s quarter-finals feature just four teams from Ligue 1, with some of the top-flight’s biggest clubs having been humbled along the way.And with fourth-tier Cannes hosting Ligue 2 Guingamp, at least one team from outside the top flight is guaranteed to reach the semi-finals.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLyon were astonishingly beaten on penalties by fifth-tier Bourgoin-Jallieu, who hail from a town of just 28,000 people barely 20 miles away.And the minnows very nearly backed up their incredible win, only falling to top-flight Reims on penalties in the last round.Lille, who have defeated Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Juventus on the way to the Champions League round of 16, were also defeated via spot kicks by second-tier Dunkerque – despite stars such as Jonathan David being in action.Montpellier, Ligue 1 champions in 2012, finished their Coupe de France campaign in disgrace this season.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAlready bottom of the table, they received no respite in the Coupe as they were astonishingly trounced 4-0 by fourth-tier Le Puy Foot 43 Auvergne.During the match, experienced captain Teji Savanier was asked “Last in Ligue 1 – does that hurt?” – to which he brashly replied: “When you’re being paid €210,000 (£175k) a month, no.”Inside PSG’s £250m lavish new training complex with luxury pools as fans joke ‘players will spend half the time lost’Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Nice, meanwhile, were beaten 2-1 by fourth-tier Stade Briochin courtesy of Hugo Boudin’s late double.Their reward? The opportunity to face Ligue 1 champions PSG in the quarter-finals.Such has been the interest in the fixture, set to take place tomorrow, that the match has been moved from Stade Briochin’s charming Stade Fred-Aubert home to Rennes’ Roazhon Park.Luis Enrique’s star-studded side will of course be huge favourites, but their lowly opponents will relish the opportunity to test themselves against one of Europe’s most in-form teams.Part of what sets the Coupe de France apart is its format.Ditching two-legged ties in 1999, the competition now automatically makes the underdog in each game the home side, provided that they are two divisions or more below their opponents.Third-tier US Quevilly subsequently reached the final in 2012, while Les Herbiers from the same level finished as runners-up in 2018.Coupe de France fixturesQuarter-FinalsAngers vs ReimsCannes vs GuingampBrest vs DunkerqueStade Briochin vs Paris Saint-GermainIn 2020, the Coupe de France also scrapped extra time, meaning underdogs just have to last 90 minutes before reaching the lottery of penalties.With the Coupe de la Ligue having also been axed that year, the competition also has maximum prestige as France’s only domestic tournament.Another fun wrinkle of the competition is that it allows clubs from semi-autonomous French regions around the world to participate.Earlier this season, AS Venus made the 30-hour trip from Tahiti to face fourth-tier ASM Belfort in round seven.While last season, Golden Lion made the 8,000 mile round trip from Martinique to face the stars of Lille, although the ruthless Ligue 1 side played their full-strength side and won 12-0.It may well be that PSG go on to beat Stade Briochin before marching to a 16th Coupe de France triumph.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut that wouldn’t change the fact that this season’s competition has been full of shocks, upsets and incredible stories.And perhaps it still has another fairytale or two left to tell.The stars of PSG will be in action against Stade-BriochinCredit: GettyLille took on Golden Lion last seasonCredit: AFP More

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      ‘Scandalous’ – Roberto De Zerbi vows to NEVER manage in France again after Marseille chief declared Ligue 1 is ‘rigged’

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      MARSEILLE boss Roberto De Zerbi has been left so furious with Ligue 1 referees that he vowed to never manage in France again.De Zerbi, 45, saw his team lose 3-0 to Auxerre on Saturday at Stade de l’Abbe Deschamps.Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi has been left furious with Ligue 1 refereesCredit: RexDe Zerbi is so angry that he vowed to never manage in France againCredit: AFPL’OM were fuming at full-time as they were very unhapy with the red card at Derek Cornelius, who was booked twice.The ex-Brighton manager was so incensed that he described the officiating as “scandalous” when he spoke to the media after the final whistle.The Italian tactician claims he has had enough and will never work in France again once he leaves Marseille, where his contract runs out in 2027.De Zerbi told Telefoot: “I’m Italian, and after OM I’m not going to coach in France again. Read More on Football”There’s a problem in the French championship, if French people are happy with this level of decision making, then good for them. “But today it was scandalous. The referee was not in a serene position to referee this match because of all the controversy surrounding him.”Marseille raised concerns with the board of arbitration of referees before the match following the appointment of Jeremy Stinat as the match official.Stinat was the fourth official when the French giants were eliminated from the Cup against Lille last month.Most read in FootballThat was when sporting director Medhi Benatia was handed a three-month suspension for incidents on the touchline.According to La Provence, Marseille president Pablo Longoria also “flew into a fit of rage” in front of journalists after the match.Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey gives verdict on Everton’s overturned penalty against Man UtdLongoria alleged that everything was “organised” against his team and it all started in the build-up to the match with Leonardo Balerdi’s booking, which led to his suspension for the game at Auxerre.The Spanish football executive was also angry about a penalty he claims should have been awarded to Quentin Merlin as well as Cornelius’ red card.The club chief went as far as to urge the reporters to quote him saying the league is “corrupt” as well as “rigged” and he would happily join the European Super League rebels if they approached him.Longoria reportedly shouted: “This is corruption! I’ve never seen anything like it. You can write it down: Pablo Longoria says it’s corruption. “Everything has been organised since the third yellow given to Balerdi. It’s planned, it’s rigged. “There’s a penalty on Merlin, four European referees have told me so by message, and the most scandalous thing is the red card to Cornelius.“This is a s***** championship, If the Super League comes to see us, we’ll go right away.” More

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      Major broadcasting change as Amazon Prime secure more football coverage amid ongoing £500million compensation row

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      AMAZON Prime Video have secured rights to show Ligue 1 football on their platform.The streamer will offer a selection of matches from the French top flight.Fans in the UK will be able to watch Ligue 1 matches on PrimeCredit: GettyLigue 1 has been without a UK broadcast partner since the end of last season.Previously, TNT Sports showed most of their matches.But following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, which coincided with Kylian Mbappe’s Paris Saint-Germain departure, TNT did not renew their deal.This left Ligue 1 without a UK broadcast partner going into the season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey subsequently launched Ligue 1 Pass, a streaming service on which fans can watch all matches either live or on demand, costing £9.99 per month or £79.99 for the full season.Fans will now be able to watch some matches on Prime Video, although not for free.Games shown through Prime will cost £2.49 each to watch via pay-per-view, with viewers not required to hold a Prime subscription.The streamer will target the biggest matches, with only two available on Prime this weekend.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAuxerre’s clash with Marseille will kick off Prime’s coverage on Saturday night, while they will also show Lyon vs PSG on Sunday.Prime have also confirmed that they will broadcast Monaco vs Reims on February 28, PSG vs Lille on March 1 and Marseille vs Nantes on March 2.Amazon Ends ‘Try Before You Buy’ for Prime MembersLEGAL FIGHTFrench domestic football’s governing body, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), finds itself embroiled in a legal battle regarding Ligue 1’s domestic rights.Between 2021 and 2024, the league was broadcast in France by Amazon Prime Video and Canal+.With the likes of Mbappe, as well as Lionel Messi and Neymar, having departed the league in that time, the LFP struggled to sell their TV rights at a similar price.In the end they agreed to four-year deals with DAZN and beIN Sports at 10 per cent less than they were previously receiving.London-based DAZN agreed to pay £334million per year to show eight of the nine matches each weekend.While beIN committed to pay £83m per year to show the remaining game.The combined £417m received from the two networks is around half of what Mediapro had agreed to pay from 2020 onwards, in a deal that collapsed just five months later.Prime Video previously broadcast live Ligue 1 matches in FranceCredit: GettyCanal+ broadcast Ligue 1 matches between 2021 and 2024Credit: GettyThis week, DAZN were due to pay their latest £58m instalment to the LFP.They are claimed to have only paid half of the sum due to various gripes against the governing body.DAZN reportedly feel that the LFP have not made big enough efforts to shut down illegal streaming of matches, while they are also claimed to believe that some clubs have not made sufficient efforts to provide extra content.Reports in France claim that DAZN have gathered 400,000 subscribers in the country, having targeted 1.5 million after completing the deal.It is believed that if the streaming platform does not reach its target by this December, they can trigger a break clause in the deal for the end of next season.Per The Athletic, the LFP have gone to court in order to “obtain, as a matter of urgency, an order against DAZN to pay the sums stipulated in the contract and an injunction to perform all of its contractual obligations”.They have also outlined their hopes to reach an “amicable outcome”.READ MORE SUN STORIESFrench outlet RMC Sport, meanwhile, report that DAZN have also gone to court, demanding £500m for a “breach” of contract and “market dishonesty”.The affair could be set to rumble on for months.DAZN’s legal war with the LFP could be set to rumble onCredit: Rex More

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      Emotional ex-Tottenham star Nabil Bentaleb, 30, scores just four minutes into return after suffering cardiac arrest

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      NABIL BENTALEB scored just four minutes into his first appearance since suffering a cardiac arrest last June.The former Tottenham star, 30, now plies his trade for his hometown club Lille in Ligue 1.Nabil Bentaleb celebrates scoring on his first appearance of the seasonCredit: AFPThe midfielder, 30, was mobbed by the Lille benchCredit: RexPrior to last night’s match, Bentaleb had not played since featuring in a World Cup qualifier for Algeria on June 10 last year, having suffered with a cardiac arrest later that month.He was subsequently fitted with a defibrillator by the same heart specialist that treated his former Spurs team-mate Christian Eriksen.Following eight months of rehab, Bentaleb was cleared to return to action by the French Football Federation last Wednesday.Having returned to full training, the all-action midfielder was named as a substitute for Lille’s trip to Rennes on Sunday evening.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBruno Genesio’s side went into the match having endured a shock home defeat to lowly Le Havre last weekend.While their hosts had won their first two matches under their new boss, former Newcastle and Aston Villa full-back Habib Beye.With the score level at 0-0, Bentaleb was called upon to replace Ngal’ayel Mukau in the 76th minute.Barely four minutes later, the returning star was on the scoresheet – stabbing home the rebound after Brice Samba had saved Chuba Akpom’s header.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBentaleb was back in the matchday squad for the first time since suffering a cardiac arrestCredit: AlamyBentaleb ran to the bench in celebration, being mobbed by his thrilled team-mates in the process.Things got even better on 86 minutes, with Akpom scoring Lille’s second to secure a 2-0 victory on Bentaleb’s return.Spurs fans hold sit-in protest against board and owenrs after Man Utd winSpeaking after the match, boss Genesio said: “It’s worthy of a film. He deserved it, because I don’t believe in luck, he believed in himself.”It’s an incredible, wonderful story.”Nabil’s goal put us on cloud nine, it’s hard to describe. It could be a moment that will mark the end of our season, that will remain engraved in the history of the club, of this season – and in Nabil’s mind, of course.”Prior to Bentaleb’s introduction, it had looked as if it may not be Lille’s day in front of goal.Akpom had been denied from the penalty spot, before having a goal disallowed for an extremely narrow offside.Rennes defender Christopher Wooh was sent off on 74 minutes, receiving a yellow card for bundling the forward over.READ MORE SUN STORIESLille’s victory saw them rise back above in Lyon into fifth in the Ligue 1 table, just two points off the Champions League places.They will return to action this Saturday when they host AS Monaco.Bentaleb was awarded man of the match for his goalscoring cameoThe popular returning star was celebrated by Lille’s fans at the end of the matchCredit: AFP More

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      Arsenal fans ‘will never forgive Edu’ after academy kid Gunners sold for just £4m last summer scores ANOTHER hat-trick

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      FORMER Arsenal academy starlet Mika Biereth has scored hat-tricks in back-to-back home games for AS Monaco.The striker, 22, was allowed to leave the Gunners to join Sturm Graz for just £4million last summer.Mika Biereth scores against Nantes for AS MonacoCredit: AFPThe Swede has impressed since moving to FranceCredit: AFPAfter excelling in his first half a season in Austria, Biereth signed for Monaco last month in a deal worth up to £12.5m.While Arsenal have struggled with an injury crisis among their forward players of late, Biereth has excelled since moving to France.The Swede continued his rich vein of form on Saturday afternoon by bagging a brilliant hat-trick against Nantes.Biereth’s treble helped his side on their way to a 7-1 demolition of Les Canaris at Stade Louis II.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe hat-trick made it seven goals in five league games for his new side, with Biereth having also netted in his previous two home outings.And Monaco even took the opportunity to goal Arsenal in a post on X, calling him an “absolute Gunner”. He scored his first goal for his new side in a 3-2 win over Rennes on January 25.The 6ft 2in forward then added a treble in a 4-2 triumph over Auxerre.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBiereth, 22, was allowed to leave Arsenal last summerCredit: GettyBiereth is now team-mates with fellow former Arsenal academy graduate Folarin Balogun.But the US international, 23, has been sidelined for much of this season with a shoulder injury.Arteta reveals Havertz tore hamstring during set-piece routine and admits Arsenal could sign free agentBiereth never made a first team appearance for Arsenal.He made a Premier League matchday squad just once, for a 0-0 draw with Burnley in January 2022.During his time at Arsenal he spent loan spells at RKC Waalwijk, Motherwell and Sturm Graz.Seeing his latest goalscoring exploits for Monaco, several Gunners supporters ranted about his sale on social media.One fumed: “2021… Edu Gaspar I will never forgive you for selling Mika Biereth.. he should have been Arsenal’s main striker.”While a second claimed: “We could have given Mika Biereth a chance.”Another added: “Another day to lament about the selling of Mika Biereth. Many of us knew he was class.”READ MORE SUN STORIESArsenal are currently without Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli.Mikel Merino rose from the bench as a makeshift centre forward to net a double in the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Leicester earlier today. More

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      PSG rivals moving into 19,000 capacity stadium right next to Parc des Princes after Jurgen Klopp moaned about atmosphere

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN’S rivals Paris FC are moving into a 19,000-capacity stadium right next to the Parc des Princes following complaints from Jurgen Klopp about their atmosphere.The French minnows currently play in Ligue 2 and are hoping to seal promotion to the top flight this summer.Paris FC are set to move into a stadium right next to PSG’s Parc des PrincesCredit: AFPThe Ligue 2 side will play at the 19,000-seater Stade Jean-Bouin from next seaasonCredit: AFP – GettyRed Bull chief Jurgen Klopp felt that Paris FC needed to move to improve their atmosphereCredit: GettyParis FC hope to improve their standing at their new homeCredit: GettyBut should they enter Ligue 1 for the 2025/26 season, Paris FC will end up having an incredible derby with city rivals PSG.That’s because they are set to move into the 19,000-seater Stade Jean-Bouin, which located right next to PSG’s Parc des Princes.The fancy arena is currently used by rugby side Stade Francais.However, they will share it with Paris FC from next season, with a deal agreed until 2029.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe second-tier side have been playing at Stade Charlety this term, which is located to the south of Paris and has a capacity of 20,000.But fans are not happy with it due to it mainly being used as an athletics stadium.Seats are located far away from the pitch.And nobody was more displeased after a visit than Liverpool legend Klopp.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe German now works as Global Head of Football at Red Bull.They became minority investors in Paris FC late last year.Ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp talks about his new role at Red Bull Paris FC currently play away from the city centre at the Stade CharletyCredit: AFPIt is primarily an athletics stadium and features the pitch far away from the crowdCredit: GettyStade Jean-Bouin has a more modern look to itCredit: GettyIt is also the home of top rugby side Stade FrancaisCredit: GettyAnd Klopp went to visit Stade Charlety to see them in action.But after being treated to the incredible atmospheres of Anfield and Borussia Dortmund’s Yellow Wall, Paris FC were found lacking.Klopp said: “The stadium is a stadium where you cannot create an atmosphere.“It is long ago since I watched a game from that far and I was in the stadium rather than in front of the TV.”As a result, Paris FC will now play at the Stade Jean-Bouin and will be hoping to become their city’s dominant side should they win promotion this term.Owner Antoine Arnault said: “Reaching this agreement to play at Jean-Bouin from next season was a priority for my family to offer our supporters, partners and spectators a perfect setting to see Paris FC teams.” More

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      Controversial Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor wants to SELL top-scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta to his other team

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      CRYSTAL PALACE hitman Jean-Philippe Mateta is an ambitious target for Lyon — in a controversial move planned by John Textor.Textor, the French club’s American owner, wants them to bid for the in-form star this summer.Jean-Philippe Mateta could leave Crystal Palace this summerCredit: ReutersJohn Textor has a share of both Palace and LyonCredit: GettyBut that will not go down well at Palace, where Textor is also a major shareholder — even if he is planning to sell his stake.Frenchman Mateta will be in demand in the next window and the Eagles will have a fight on their hands to keep him.Yet Lyon may have to reach the Champions League to have a real chance of tempting Mateta, who has scored ten league goals so far this season.The powerful striker, 27, will seek to join an elite club.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLPalace would look for at least £50million for Mateta and if he continues his form, there could be big Premier League interest.Meanwhile, the Eagles have earmarked two rising centre-halves to replace Marc Guehi — Burnley’s Maxime Esteve and Middlesbrough’s Rav van den Berg.They realise England defender Guehi will have to be sold in the summer amid interest from Newcastle, Tottenham and Chelsea.Palace were priced out of their first choice, Strahinja Pavlovic, with AC Milan asking for £35m.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFrenchman Esteve, 22, has been impressive for Burnley in a defence that has conceded just nine goals in 31 Championship games.Dutch star Van den Berg, 20, has caught the eye at Boro and Palace will be watching him closely in the run-in this season.His older brother Sepp, 23, plays for Brentford.Fans joke Ian Wright’s coat ‘reminded them to take the bins out’ as Arsenal legend hosts FA Cup clash More

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      Meet Abdukodir Khusanov, the £33m ‘Tank’ Uzbek defender who sprints like an Olympian and is joining Man City from Lens

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      MANCHESTER CITY are closing in on signing Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens.The Premier League champions have reportedly agreed a £33.6million deal to land the youngster this month.Abdukodir Khusanov is the ‘Tank’ set to join Manchester CityCredit: GettyThe young centre-back has developed into one of the best defenders in Ligue 1Credit: GettyHis 37km/h top speed rivals the pace Usain Bolt set in the 100mCredit: AFPBut who is the rising star set to make his switch to the Etihad – and what kind of a player are City signing?First of all, Pep Guardiola is getting a proper defender.Khusanov, 20, is no creative player who has been shoehorned into playing at the back.He is a defender’s defender – and seemingly relishes preventing strikers scoring, coming out in the 94th percentile for his defensive stats in Ligue 1 this term. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd he is a physical specimen of a man: 6ft 1in tall, powerful, strong, athletic and quick. Very quick.Khusanov clocked a staggering top speed of 37km/h – 22.9mph – earlier this season.To put that into context, Usain Bolt averaged 37.58km/h to set the 100m world record of 9.58 seconds, albeit reaching 43.99km/h during the 2009 race.In the 2023-24 Premier League season, the 37km/h barrier was broken just twice – both by Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven who managed 37.38km/h and 37.23km/h. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSo it’s safe to say that Khusanov would add a whole new dynamic to City’s back line with his lightning pace.He capitalises on his physical attributes to be strong in the air and even stronger in the challenge.Meet Man City’s Nico O’Reilly: Rodri’s heir?His aggressive pressing style and love of a battle with a striker means he is perfectly comfortable stepping out to squeeze opponents or intercept as well as in one-v-one situations, drawing comparisons to Ruben Dias.He is not dirty, only picking up two yellow cards this season, but does love a last-ditch slide tackle and did see red for a studs-up challenge on PSG’s Achraf Hakimi in November. His Lens manager Will Still summed it up succinctly: “Kodir is a tank.” Interestingly, though, Khusanov is not your typical Guardiola centre-back because he is not the best with the ball at his feet. He averages fewer touches, passes and forward carries than his centre-back partners Kevin Danso and Facundo Medina – albeit playing in the middle of a back three – and certainly has room to grow in his range of passing.This will be particularly important when lining up in a Guardiola team that dominates possession. It has been a staggering and rapid rise for Khusanov as he finds himself on the brink of his transfer to England. The Uzbekistan international and Olympian – who would become the first Uzbek to play in the Premier League – left his homeland aged 18 to join Belarusian club Energetik-BGU in 2022.Less than 18 months later, he signed for Lens in July 2023 for £84,000 – and is now set to move on for 400 TIMES that figure, having only established himself as a first-team regular starter this season.But City fans’ excitement will be curbed by two important factors. Khusanov is not very experienced.The youngster – who ironically has only celebrated five birthdays as he was born on February 29, 2004 – went into 2025 with still only 24 Ligue 1 appearances to his name.He has two in the Champions League from last season’s group stages, including a 6-0 thrashing by Arsenal.The other slight area for concern is verbally.READ MORE SUN STORIESKhusanov has been described as a very quiet person and add in the further complications of the language barrier upon arriving in England and that could mean he takes time to settle.But if struggling Guardiola is so keen to spend big cash and waste no time in bringing him in, he must be confident he can get the best out of Abdukodir Khusanov as City’s next defensive stalwart. Khusanov would become the first Uzbek to play in the Premier LeagueCredit: Instagram @abdukodir_khusanov_He is not afraid to stand up for himself and show aggressionCredit: AFPThe 18-cap international left his homeland aged 18 to move to BelarusCredit: Instagram @abdukodir_khusanov_The youngster signed for Lens from Energetik-BGU in 2023Credit: Instagram @abdukodir_khusanov_Pep Guardiola will know there is room for improvement with the ball at his feetCredit: GettyKhusanov was on the end of a 6-0 stuffing by Arsenal in the Champions LeagueCredit: GettyHe could rival Micky van de Ven as the Prem’s fastest footballerCredit: Getty More

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      Ligue 1 in savage six-word response to Cristiano Ronaldo after his brutal comments about French league

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      LIGUE 1 fired a savage six-word response at Cristiano Ronaldo following his brutal comments about France’s top league.The Portuguese legend made a disparaging remark about the competition while collecting several prizes at the Globe Soccer Awards.Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments about Ligue 1 have come back to haunt himCredit: GettyRonaldo, who plays for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, was crowned both ‘Best Player in the Middle East’ AND ‘Top Scorer of All Time’ at last week’s event.The 39-year-old striker is the top name in the Saudi Pro League following a move there two years ago.Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr after having his Manchester United deal terminated following a major row with Erik ten Hag.And after netting 80 goals in 89 games for his new side, the three-time Premier League winner made a bold statement.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAccepting his awards, ex-Real Madrid and Juventus star Ronaldo declared that the Saudi Pro League was making major strides to catch Europe’s top divisions.But in his eyes, it is already better than France’s Ligue 1.The competition boasts numerous top names including Marseille, Monaco and Lyon.However, Ronnie reckons it is simply a one-team league due to the dominance of moneybags Paris Saint-Germain.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSpeaking on stage, Ronaldo said: “The Saudi league is better than Ligue 1.“In France, only PSG exists — the rest are finished. If you don’t believe me, try running in 39 or 40 degrees and see.”Cristiano Ronaldo wins Best Middle East Player 2024 gong at Globe Soccer AwardsRonaldo’s comments have come back to haunt him though.The ace is yet to win a title in Saudi and so far has just a single Arab Club Champions Cup to his name.And Ligue 1’s Spanish X account fired back at Ronaldo’s comments by posting a picture of rival Lionel Messi.The snap showed Inter Miami’s forward in an Argentina shirt kissing the World Cup after winning two years ago in Saudi’s neighbour Qatar.A caption read: “Leo Messi playing in 38 degrees.”Fans reacted in amazement to the response.One said: “I’ve been waiting for you to post this.”Another declared: “Admin hold this.”READ MORE SUN STORIESOne noted: “The GOATS.”Another added: “No shame.”Inside Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible lifeAS arguably the greatest player of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo lives a life befitting such a superstar. More