Former Barcelona star Neymar Jr has hailed Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo as the one responsible for transforming the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d’Or five times, joined Al Nassr in December on a 2-1/2 year contract following his ill-fated departure from Manchester United.

Neymar himself has signed a two-year contract with Saudi side Al Hilal.

“I believe Cristiano Ronaldo started all of this and everybody called him ‘crazy’, and this and that. Today you see the league grow more and more,” Neymar said in his first interview after the transfer on Wednesday.

“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, (Roberto) Firmino, that the excitement is even greater,” Neymar also said.

Neymar’s two-year contract with the Riyadh-based is a deal reportedly worth about €90 million.