Neymar: New Al-Hilal star gives Cristiano Ronaldo credit for the rapid growth in Saudi Pro League

Neymar made a move from French champions Paris Saint-Germain to Al Hilal, the current Asian champions, for $98.6 million (€90 million).

The Brazilian forward signed a two-year contract worth £276 million and will earn £177 million per year.

The new Al-Hilal signing has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo for the rapid growth being experienced in the Saudi Pro League.

The 31-year-old has said in his first interview as an Al-Hilal player that Ronaldo's decision to join Al-Nassr has made Saudi Arabia more enticing to him and other elite athletes.

Neymar said in an interview with Al-Hilal on Youtube as reported by ESPN, "I believe Cristiano Ronaldo started all of this and everybody called him 'crazy'. Today you see the league grow more and more.

"The league will be very competitive, especially after the signings made in the summer transfer window. 

“I believe competitiveness is important. That's why I am joining this league. I am driven by challenges. I am there to help the league grow.

"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. I am very excited in that regard."

Neymar added that the Saudi league will be entertaining and competitive since Karim Benzema, Roberto Firmino, and others will play there.

Neymar continued, "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.

"So I am happy to join this league, facing them will be wonderful, it will be fantastic. Of course, a lot of Brazil will be watching the league.

“ Obviously I will be there and I expect all Brazilians and everybody following the league to support Al Hilal.

"The message I have for them is I will do my best to make them enjoy football, our goal is winning all titles."

On Saturday, Neymar's new team, Al Hilal, will host Al-Feiha in the upcoming round of league games.