‘Everybody called him crazy’ — Neymar credits Ronaldo for player exodus to S’Arabia

Neymar Jnr, the Brazilian striker, has credited Cristiano Ronaldo for the mass exodus of high-profile players to the Saudi Pro League.

The attacker spoke on Wednesday during his maiden interview with Al Hilal, his new club.

The former Paris Saint-Germain player is the latest star to abandon European football for the riches of Saudi Arabia.

Sadio Mane, Jordan Henderson, and Kalidou Koulibaly, among others, have opted for the megabucks of the Arabian nation this summer.

However, one man started the movement: Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in January in a surprise move described as a retirement of sorts for the five-time Balon D’Or winner.

The 38-year-old had dismissed the notion and said that more high-profile players would follow suit.

The Portugal captain’s words have proven true, Neymar said, while speaking about the initial apprehension.

“I believe Cristiano Ronaldo started all of this and everybody called him ‘crazy’, and this and that.

“Today you see the league [signing] more and more [high profile players].”

Neymar added that he is excited and in Saudi Arabia for a new challenge.

“I am very excited, very happy to join a new league. it is a new experience and a new challenge and of course, I am excited to write history,” he said.

“I am driven by challenges obviously, when you face a challenge like this, you boost your self-esteem. I am there to help the league grow more and more.”