Talisca: The Saudi Pro League Still Outclasses MLS, Even Messi's 0-6 Night Couldn’t Change That
28 November 2025
Context and Key Remarks
Brazilian star Anderson Talisca, the former Al-Nassr standout, rejects the notion of pitting the Saudi Pro League against MLS in terms of overall power or influence.
He spent roughly four seasons with Al-Nassr, shining before moving in January to a Turkish club, and later reflecting publicly on league quality from abroad.
Even after leaving Saudi, the 31-year-old maintains that Saudi football remains ahead of many leagues worldwide.
Numbers, Moves, and Ongoing Comparisons
In a Brazilian interview, he joked that there is no legitimate basis for comparing the two leagues, asserting the Saudi league is clearly ahead. He recalled that when Messi’s team came to Saudi Arabia, they were defeated 6-0, a result he used to dismiss the comparison.
He added that MLS features players who study in college while playing, a factor he says highlights the difference between the championships.
Key figures
For Al-Nassr, Talisca appeared in about 104 matches, scoring 76 goals and contributing 10 assists; with Fenerbahçe, he played 43 times, netting 20 goals and 4 assists.
He left Al-Nassr in January after the club signed Colombian John Duran from Aston Villa; Duran played the previous season with the world, then joined the Turkish club too, leaving Talisca to face fresh challenges.
Ongoing comparisons
In recent years, debates about the strength of MLS versus the Saudi league have persisted, especially after Lionel Messi moved to the United States and Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Messi’s numbers with Inter Miami remain impressive, but the team has yet to claim major trophies and exited the Club World Cup at the Round of 16 after a group that included Porto, Al Ahly, and Palmeiras. By contrast, Al-Hilal reached the quarterfinals but fell 2-1 to Palmeiras.
Bottom line
As the dust settles, the argument continues to simmer, and fans will likely savor every new chapter as the leagues chase sustained glory.
Punchlines
1) If leagues were sharpshooters, the Saudi league would be on bullseye duty while MLS keeps aiming for the practice range.
2) When a player can score 76 goals in 104 games and still explain why your league isn’t as sharp, you know you’re watching a one-man highlight reel with a calculator.
