Ronaldo Receives Praise As Neymar Moves to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia

• Cristiano Ronaldo has been hailed for transforming football in Saudi Arabia
• His move to Al-Nassr in January has led to an array of high-profile transfers
• The latest to follow Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League is Brazil star Neymar Jr

Brazilian forward, Neymar Junior, is the latest high-profile player to ditch Europe for the Middle East as he completed a blockbuster agreement with Al-Hilal this week.

The 31-year-old became the latest addition to the burgeoning array of stars in the Saudi Pro League, which boasts of Cristiano Ronaldo, the reigning Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema, and Liverpool legend Sadio Mane.

Ronaldo's surprising choice to join Al-Nassr in January marked a turning point for the Saudi top flight, as his decision led the way for numerous other prominent players to follow the path set by the Portuguese maestro, GOAL reports.

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While several players from Europe's top leagues have joined the oil-rich nation's football scene this summer, none has resonated as profoundly as much as Neymar's potential departure from PSG to join Al-Hilal.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the Brazilian has signed a two-year deal worth $300 million with the Riyadh-based club.

Neymar will likely assume the No. 10 jersey with his new club. This has led to many crediting Ronaldo - the former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus forward - for this move.

Ronaldo credited for Neymar's move

@Shayor19 praised Ronaldo's influence in relation to the Neymar deal:

"Ronaldo’s influence."

@18_kattar aimed a subtle jab at Messi:

"Played whole life with Messi, but in the end, he followed Ronalo's pathway U don't have that pull Pessi."

@CFC_Janty saluted Ronaldo for his influence:

"Show me a more influential person than Cristiano Ronaldo and I’ll deactivate. Forever changed Saudi Football."

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@TheLampardView even upgraded Ronaldo's status:

"Most influential human in the world."

Al-Hilal announce Neymar with video

Sports Brief also reported on Al-Hilal confirming the signing of Neymar this week with a video posted on social media.

The Brazilian has ended his six years with PSG and will now begin a new chapter as a member of the Riyadh-based team.