Victor Osimhen, in 2023, chose to go to the Major League Soccer (MLS) to play with Lionel Messi over a move to the Saudi Pro League to play with Cristiano Ronaldo. The two are inarguably two of the greatest players to have played the sport and dominated world football together for well over a decade.
Messi and Ronaldo left Europe for the United States and Saudi Arabia, respectively, in 2023. Cristiano Ronaldo was the first to take his football career outside Europe, joining Al-Nassr in January 2023. Lionel Messi followed suit in the summer of the same year, signing for Inter Miami.
Their presence has, of course, increased the visibility of both leagues, as several players from across Europe have moved to either the MLS or the Saudi Pro League during that period. In a Twitch interview that included former Italy forward Mario Balotelli, Osimhen was asked to pick between the MLS or the Saudi Pro League, to which he responded:
Watch here (4:22)
The Nigerian forward, however, praised the Saudi Pro League. He said (3:53 onwards):
Victor Osimhen was plying his trade with Serie A side Napoli at the time and was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal.
The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is inarguably the longest-running in football history. The duo pushed each other to their limits for more than a decade, sharing 13 Ballons d’Or between them.
But now it cannot be argued that both have passed their prime. Cristiano Ronaldo turned 40 in February, while Lionel Messi will celebrate his 38th birthday in June. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner recently reflected on his rivalry with the Portuguese.
He told France Football:
An ardent Chelsea fan, Ezekiel’s journey as a football fan began in his childhood, witnessing Ronaldinho dazzle with his skills. His interest in the beautiful game deepened after Nigeria were knocked out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup; he was impressed with the Super Eagles’ fighting spirit in their 2-2 Group B draw against South Korea. Some other World Cup matches which have left a deep impact on him were Belgium’s incredible comeback against Japan in the round of 16 of the 2018 version and the 2022 final.
Lionel Messi is the one true GOAT for Ezekiel and he also follows the Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League owing to him and Cristiano Ronaldo. When not writing, he spends his free time deepening his SEO knowledge and watching skits.
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