“Cristiano Ronaldo started all of this, everybody called him crazy” - When Neymar made feelings clear about Saudi Pro League transfers 

Neymar, upon joining Al Hilal in August 2023, credited Cristiano Ronaldo for leading the way for other players to move to the Saudi Pro League. The Brazilian pointed how everyone questioned the Al Nassr star after he made the move to the Middle East, but it eventually turned out to be fruitful.

Speaking to Al Hilal's official channel, Neymar admitted that Ronaldo started the inflow of top players to the Saudi Pro League. He said (via CNN):

"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. I am driven by challenges. Obviously, when you face a challenge like this it boosts your self-esteem. I am there to help the league grow more and more. They are already changing a lot; they have made a lot of signings. Yes, surely the league will be very competitive especially after the signings made in this summer transfer window."

While Cristiano Ronaldo has been playing regularly for Al Nassr, Neymar has been on the sidelines since right after his Al Hilal debut. He suffered an ACL injury after playing just four games for the Suadi club, and has just returned to training after a year out.

Cristiano Ronaldo echoed Neymar's thoughts and took credit for Saudi Pro League moves

Cristiano Ronaldo also talked about the high-profile signings made by Saudi Pro League sides after his move. The Al Nassr star claimed that he was confident that more players would follow him to the Middle East and said (via talkSPORT):

"Let's bug people a bit. I knew that me going to Saudi Arabia would open a box and I wasn't wrong. I'm sure that in a couple of years or three from now, this league is going to be one of the most important leagues in the world. We can see that already Karim left already and I am 1000 per cent sure that many more players will too."

In another interview, he added (via ESPN):

"They criticized me for coming to Saudi League, but what happened now? I opened the way and now all the players are coming here. My decision to join Saudi clubs was 100% crucial to bring in new top players. It's a fact. When I joined Juventus, Serie A was dead, and then after I signed, it was revived. Wherever Cristiano goes, he generates higher interest."

Neymar's Al Hilal have beaten Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr to the Saudi Pro League title in both the seasons that the Portuguese has played in so far.