Neom defender Nathan Zeze says Saudi Pro League exceeded expectations but still trails Ligue 1

French defender Nathan Zeze says the Saudi Pro League surprised him with its quality but remains behind Ligue 1, while insisting a number of Saudi players are capable of playing in Europe. Zeze joined Neom from Nantes in the summer of 2025 and is now in his second season with the Saudi club.

Speaking to French website RMC Sport, he discussed the reasons behind his controversial move and compared his experiences in the two leagues. The decision to leave Nantes was not straightforward, he said, and acknowledged that financial considerations played an important part.

"I won't deny that," Zeze said. The presence of Neom manager Christophe Galtier and several French-speaking players also helped persuade him to make the move.

Among them were Alexandre Lacazette, Said Benrahma, M'Baye Niang and Malang Sarr, whose experience helped Zeze adapt and continue his development. The defender has also enjoyed a significant international moment since moving to Saudi Arabia.

On 3 October, he captained France Under-21s to a 3-2 victory over Luxembourg in a Euro 2027 qualifying match. Reflecting on his first full year in the country, Zeze said the standard had been higher than he anticipated.

"I expected a lower level, but the truth is that when you face the best 10 or 12 teams in the league, you feel as though you are playing a match in the French league," he said. He was particularly impressed by the ability of Saudi players and said he had no regrets about his decision.

"There are many Saudi players who have the ability to play in Europe. They surprised me in a positive way, and I have absolutely no regrets about my move," he added.

However, Zeze rejected Cristiano Ronaldo's view that the Saudi Pro League is superior to the French league. He said the quality gap was not substantial, but argued that Ligue 1 still offered a more demanding competition over the course of a season.

The French league is still superior, Zeze said. "The competition is fierce every round, and that same intensity does not exist here, even if the difference is not a big one."