Neymar credits Cristiano Ronaldo for influx of players joining Saudi Pro League

The Brazilian superstar became the latest big name to swap European leagues for the middle east

After Neymar Jr made his desire to leave PSG in this transfer window public, he was linked with a host of clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United, and speculations of his homecoming back to Barcelona were rife in the news and were gathering momentum. However, the Brazilian superstar ended all speculations when it was announced that he will be joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal on a two-year contract.

Within the last year, Saudi Arabia has put impetus on developing a football culture, and their plan to do so seems to be spending big money to attract the biggest names in world football. Neymar’s contract will earn him €100m a year, on top of which he will be provided with a host of enviable amenities and an almost monarch like treatment.

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Talking about the Saudi exodus, Neymar Jr credited Cristiano Ronaldo for it, as he was the first high profile name to head to the middle east when he signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.

Talking about Ronaldo’s influence on Saudi football, Neymar said:

‘I believe Cristiano Ronaldo started all of this and everybody called him ‘crazy’, and this and that, today you see the league more and more,” Neymar told Al-Hilal’s official channels, following his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to the Middle East earlier this week

Saudi Arabian agents tried to facilitate the arrival of other big names like Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi recently. However, both of them failed as Messi went on to join MLS side Inter Miami and Mbappe staying in Paris.

Other big names who have made their way to Saudi include Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson. Apart from them, a lot of players from European Leagues have headed towards the Gulf nation.

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