Cristiano Ronaldo provides Erling Haaland dig in Man City admission

Cristiano Ronaldo believes Manchester City are among the favourites to win the Champions League again this year after what he described as a 'superb' season.

City capped off their historic treble-winning campaign with a first ever Champions League trophy in June, beating Inter Milan 1-0 in Istanbul. Victory saw them become just the second English team to be crowned champions of Europe alongside the Premier League and FA Cup titles.

Pep Guardiola's side cruised through their group stage again this season and will hope to reach their peak for another Champions League final. Ronaldo was part of the Madrid team that last won consecutive European titles and believes City could go on to repeat that achievement.

“Manchester City did amazing. Congratulations on their season. Players, coach. Superb," Ronaldo told the Globe Soccer Awards. “Finally they win the Champions League, they probably deserved it two years ago. I enjoy seeing them playing. “Manchester City have good chance to win the Champions League again. Favourites? Man City, Real Madrid, Bayern." Ronaldo has been welcoming fellow stars to Saudi Arabia ever since joining Al Nassr in December of 2022, following his fallout with Erik ten Hag and subsequent exit from Manchester United. The Portuguese international has continued his excellent goalscoring form, albeit in a lesser league.

But ever since moving the Middle East, Ronaldo has championed football in the region and insists the Saudi Pro League is now better than France's Ligue 1. And he also took the opportunity to aim a sly dig at City's goal-machine, Erling Haaland.

“Saudi League is not worst than Ligue1. Saudi Pro League is more competitive than Ligue1, I can say that after one year spent there. We are better than French league already now.

"I was the best goalscorer this season, imagine beating young animals like Haaland… I’m proud. And I’ll be 39 soon! I like when people doubt again about me and then I’m successful. I don’t get affected by the criticism."