With Neymar being the latest superstar to arrive in Saudi Arabia, the Brazilian has now made a bold claim about Cristiano Ronaldo impact in the Middle East.
According to reports, the Brazilian is now the second-highest-paid player in the Saudi Pro League behind Al Nassr captain Ronaldo.
Read: Neymar: Why I have left Europe
The former Paris Saint-Germain attacker signed a two-year deal with Al Hilal earlier this week after putting an end to his six-season spell in France, which had become increasingly tumultuous in recent years.
With Neymar's blockbuster arrival being the latest, the Saudis have been quite successful in their quest to lure some of the world's biggest names to their top flight, with the list of players making the switch from Europe's top five leagues to the SPL growing.
In July, Ronaldo credited himself with the league's increasing popularity, insisting that he paved the way for many of the footballers who are now plying their trade in the country, including the likes of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Karim Benzema.
Neymar has now made it clear he agrees with that view.
"I believe Cristiano Ronaldo started all of this and everybody called him 'crazy', and this and that," the Selecao talisman said on Wednesday, according to the Indian Express.
"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, Firmino, that the excitement is even greater.
"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 teammates – winning more and more titles and fulfilling the club's ambition."
Read: Weekly Wild Take: Maguire has no ambition
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