Karren Brady gobsmacked after Ivan Toney and Cristiano Ronaldo drop bold Saudi Pro League claim against Premier League

Ivan Toney said his Al-Ahli team could finish close to the Premier League top four. Cristiano Ronaldo has also said the Saudi Pro League can match Europe’s best. These remarks have surprised many in English football.

Karren Brady wrote she was “gobsmacked” by the idea. The talk grew in September 2025 after Toney’s comments and Ronaldo’s public praise for the Saudi league.

The debate is now about money, crowd size, and the level of play. Fans and pundits keep arguing online and on TV.

Ivan Toney on Al-Ahli and the Premier League

Ivan Toney moved from Brentford to Al-Ahli in 2025. He has scored and helped his team this season. After a good run of games, Toney told reporters on September 10, 2025 that Al-Ahli would be “close to the top four” if they played in England.

He pointed to wins and his goals as proof. Some fans praised his confidence. Others said one player or one season does not prove a whole league is equal. Reuters also noted Toney scored in Al-Ahli’s recent 3-3 draw with Al-Hilal.

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Karren Brady on Ivan Toney and Cristiano Ronaldo

Karren Brady wrote in The Sun that the claim left her gobsmacked. She said the Saudi Pro League has smaller crowds and many older stars who moved there. Karren Brady pointed to an average home attendance of about 8,354 last season to show the league is still growing.

She added that money helps, but fans and strong competition take time to build. The Saudi league has signed big names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane. Al-Ahli play in Jeddah and clubs across Saudi are spending to improve. Premier League leaders say their league still draws bigger crowds and offers tougher matches. The debate will continue as new stars join Saudi. For now, many in England still see the Premier League as the top competition. Fans will watch closely this season to see who is right and which league grows stronger.