Brazilian superstar Neymar has attributed the transformation of Saudi Pro League to Cristiano Ronaldo. In his first interview for Al Hilal after making the switch from Paris St Germain, Neymar said he is looking forward to facing CR7’s Al-Nassr in the near future.
The 31-year-old signed a two-year contract with the Riyadh-based club on Tuesday. The deal will see PSG, where he spent six years, receive about 90 million euros.
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“I believe Cristiano Ronaldo started all of this and everybody called him ‘crazy’, and this and that. Today you see the league grow more and more. It is exciting, meeting top-quality players on the other teams thrills you and motivates you to play even better. And it is a given when you face Ronaldo, Benzema, (Roberto) Firmino, that the excitement is even greater,” Neymar said.
Ronaldo, the five-times Ballon d’Or winner, joined Al-Nassr in December on a 2.5 year contract following his controversial departure from Manchester United.
The Saudi Pro League has grown in stature and quality since, attracting top talents from the footballing world. The League has invested over 600 million euros since Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr.
Notable recruits include Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema from Real Madrid, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City.
“I think it is very important to have quality in the squad. Obviously, it helps in some decisions you take throughout you career. It was certainly for me. I am very excited to write a new story chasing all the objectives with the club and my team mates – winning more and more titles and fulfilling the club’s ambition,” Neymar said.
Al-Hilal have made an extensive effort to up the ante of the Saudi League. They have reappointed Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus on a one-year contract and added former Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Ruben Neves, Serbia’s Sergei Milinkovic-Savic, Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly, and Brazilian striker Malcom to their squad.
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