News Focus
- Ex-Bordeaux manager Gus Poyet challenges Cristiano Ronaldo’s view that the Saudi Pro League surpasses Ligue 1 in quality
- Poyet predicts a tight UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal
- Young French players including Mohamed Kader Meité and Saïmon Bouabré increasingly choose Saudi moves
- Uruguayan coach calls for responsible ownership after FC Girondins de Bordeaux’s financial collapse
Former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet has strongly defended the standard of French football following recent claims by Cristiano Ronaldo that the Saudi Pro League offers higher quality than Ligue 1. The Uruguayan coach, who has managed clubs in both nations, believes the Portuguese superstar ignored the easy victories he enjoys in the Middle East when making the comparison.
Poyet shared these views during an exclusive discussion about the current state of French football. The former Bordeaux boss analysed several pressing issues facing the league, including the departure of young talents to Saudi clubs.
Regarding the upcoming Champions League final, Poyet initially favoured Paris Saint-Germain after their impressive semi-final displays. However, Arsenal’s recent Premier League triumph has convinced him the match is now evenly balanced at 50-50. He praised Luis Enrique’s tactical intelligence but warned that Arsenal’s defensive solidity makes them difficult opponents.
The 57-year-old identified lost television rights as a critical problem for Ligue 1. He explained that French sides can no longer compete financially to retain their best players. Despite this, he applauded PSG for creating a strong group identity even after losing global stars such as Neymar and Lionel Messi.
On the Saudi trend, Poyet revealed he tried to reduce his former team’s average age from 32 years during his time there. He supports Saudi clubs recruiting younger French players like Nathan Zézé rather than only signing veteran stars. He noted that teams such as Al-Ahli now successfully mix youth with experience, creating a growing divide within the Saudi league.
Poyet concluded by addressing the tragic decline of his former club Bordeaux. He compared buying a football club to purchasing an umbrella, warning that many owners fail to understand the unique risks involved. The former manager offered to help save the club from relegation without payment, driven by his emotional connection to their famous history. He pointed to the retired shirt numbers of legendary former players hanging in the dressing room as proof of the club’s special status in French football.