The rivalry between European and Center Japanese soccer has taken a brand new flip, with Ligue 1 securing bragging rights over Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest claims concerning the superiority of the Saudi Professional League. The French prime division has formally been ranked the best-performing league within the Champions League this season, based on soccer analytics agency Opta.
With Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco, Brest, and Lille all advancing to the knockout levels, Ligue 1 has outperformed expectations and silenced critics, proving that French soccer is way from a one-team league.
Ligue 1’s 4 collaborating golf equipment have all superior past the Champions League’s opening section, making France the one nation to see all of its representatives end within the prime half of the standings. “France is the one nation to see all of their golf equipment concerned within the UEFA Champions League this season end within the prime half of the league section desk,” reviews Opta.
Even in a season the place French golf equipment confronted powerhouses like Liverpool, Juventus, Actual Madrid, and Atletico Madrid, they haven’t solely survived however thrived. Lille, as an example, secured direct qualification to the Spherical of 16, ending seventh and establishing a conflict with both Sporting Lisbon, Membership Brugge, Atalanta, or Borussia Dortmund.
In the meantime, PSG’s resounding 4-1 away victory over Stuttgart ensured their place within the Champions League play-offs. They’re now set to face a fellow Ligue 1 membership, with Monaco (seventeenth) or Brest (18th) as potential opponents.
Refined dig at Cristiano Ronaldo
Ligue 1’s Champions League success comes simply weeks after Cristiano Ronaldo dismissed the league, claiming that the Saudi Professional League was superior. Talking on the Globe Soccer Awards in December 2024, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner made daring statements about European soccer’s declining high quality.
“The Saudi Professional League is best than Ligue 1, after all. I’m not saying that as a result of I play right here. I don’t care what individuals give it some thought,” Ronaldo mentioned. He additional criticized the competitiveness of French soccer, including: “In France, they solely have PSG, everybody else is completed. No person can beat them as a result of they’ve essentially the most cash and one of the best gamers.”
These feedback haven’t gone unnoticed. French soccer figures, together with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, have already pushed again in opposition to Ronaldo’s claims. Now, Ligue 1’s Champions League success offers a statistical rebuttal, proving that French soccer is flourishing past PSG’s dominance.
The official English X account of Ligue 1 determined to subtly poke enjoyable at Ronaldo after the Champions League league section concluded. “That is Ligue 1”, mentioned its put up.
Rising popularity of Ligue 1
For years, Ligue 1 has struggled with the notion that it’s a “one-club league” dominated by PSG. Nevertheless, this season’s Champions League outcomes problem that narrative. Monaco, Brest, and Lille have proven they will compete on the highest stage, securing their locations within the knockout rounds.
Moreover, the French prime division’s success outshines different European giants, together with La Liga and Serie A, whose golf equipment haven’t carried out as persistently within the Champions League this season.
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