"Ligue 1 is still a step above," Zézé responds to Ronaldo on French league standard

Zézé, now at Saudi Pro League side Neom, says Ligue 1 remains a step above the Saudi championship despite being pleasantly surprised by its level.

Nathan Zézé, the 21-year-old centre-back who left FC Nantes for Saudi Pro League club Neom in summer 2025, has given an interview to Transfermarkt reflecting on his move and comparing the two leagues. Zézé captained France U21 for the first time on 3 October in a 3-2 Euro qualifying win over Luxembourg.

Zézé acknowledged that financial incentives played a role in his decision, but highlighted the presence of manager Christophe Galtier and several French-speaking teammates including Alexandre Lacazette, Saïd Benrahma, Amadou Koné and Malang Sarr, who help him develop. He said he was positively surprised by the Saudi Pro League's standard, noting that the top ten or twelve clubs play at a level similar to Ligue 1 and that many Saudi players would have the quality to play in Europe.

When asked about Cristiano Ronaldo's repeated claims that Saudi Pro League is superior to Ligue 1, Zézé disagreed. "Ligue 1 is still a step above," he said, citing higher intensity throughout the season, though he acknowledged the gap is not huge. He also pointed to the difference in atmosphere across Saudi stadiums.

Zézé aims to finish as high as possible with Neom this season and prepare well for the U21 Euros in June–July, which he hopes to win.