Neymar’s Thoughts on GOAT Debate Resurface As He Praises Ronaldo’s Influence in Saudi

• Neymar's past thoughts of the Messi-Ronaldo debate have resurfaced
• He praised Ronaldo's influence in the Saudi League moments after signing for Al-Hilal
• The former PSG winger is a close friend of Messi, who is now at Inter Miami

Neymar has become the latest big football superstar to move to the fast-rising Saudi Arabia League. What was thought to be a passing facade when Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January has quickly turned into a massive migration of top-ranking stars to the Middle East.

Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Sadio Mane have since ditched their European clubs and secured lucrative contracts in the Middle East. Neymar has also put an end to his tumultuous relationship with Paris Saint-Germain and signed for Al-Hilal.

During his press conference, the Brazilian praised Ronaldo's influence on the growth of the Saudi League.

"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," he told the club's channels.

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Neymar's comments came at a time when the Portuguese icon asserted that the Saudi Pro League was way better than the Major League Soccer, which his arch-rival, Lionel Messi, joined.

Neymar's thoughts on GOAT debate

The 'war' between the two rivals has continued even after they left European football, with their 'pull' being used as a parameter right now. Messi has only been joined by Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba compared to the number of stars who've headed East.

Neymar's comments on Ronaldo's influence do not necessarily change his opinion on what he thought about the two. In an interview with Marca in 2016, he picked Messi's left foot over Ronaldo's right foot.

"I’d take Messi’s left foot, with all due respect to Cristiano, because my right foot is pretty handy too."

The 31-year-old called Messi a 'genius.' The two share a close relationship from the Barcelona days before linking up once again at Paris Saint-Germain.

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Neymar's story of unfulfilled dreams

At 31, Neymar is exiting European football, having won only one Champions League title and with no Ballon d'Or title to his name.

Sports Brief broke down his journey from his glory days in Barcelona to the problematic era in France.

The world never experienced Neymar in his full glory. What we saw were glimpses of a talented footballer whose wrong decisions, sabotage and injuries cost him a higher place in football royalty.