“Neymar Jr. Credits Cristiano Ronaldo for Saudi Football Revolution”

“Neymar Jr. Attributes Football Revolution in Saudi Arabia to Cristiano Ronaldo”Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr., the latest addition to a Saudi Professional League team, has credited Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, for sparking a transformative football movement in the Middle Eastern nation. Neymar, 31, completed a €90 million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Al Hilal on August 15. In his inaugural interview, Neymar highlighted the significant impact of Ronaldo’s move to the Saudi League, as he left Manchester United to join Al Nassr, a rival to Al Hilal, last year.

Neymar stated, “Cristiano Ronaldo pioneered the historic change within the Saudi League. Despite initial skepticism when he joined, his influence is now evident in the remarkable development unfolding in the league.”

In line with Neymar’s move, Ballon d’Or recipient Benzema and Brazilian forward Firmino have also secured deals with Saudi clubs during the ongoing transfer window. While Benzema completed a free transfer to Al Ittihad, Firmino concluded his eight-year tenure with Premier League giants Liverpool to join Al Ahli.

Neymar shared his enthusiasm, stating, “Encountering top-tier players from other teams is exhilarating and motivates one to elevate their performance. Facing Ronaldo, Benzema, or Firmino adds an extra layer of excitement. Quality within the squad is crucial, influencing career decisions. This held true for me.”

Expressing his eagerness for the future, Neymar concluded, “I am thrilled to embark on a new journey, pursuing objectives alongside the club and teammates—securing more titles and realizing the club’s aspirations.”