Al Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has made a bold claim about his influence on Saudi Arabian football just days after Lionel Messi rejected the chance to move to the country.
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Speaking at a brand event this week, the 38-year-old insisted once again that more high-profile footballers will follow him to the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo was discussing his impact on the division after it was confirmed that Messi would be heading to MLS side Inter Miami instead of returning to Barcelona or joining Al Hilal in the Middle East.
"I knew that me going to Saudi Arabia would open a box and I wasn't wrong," he said, according to the Daily Mirror.
"I'm sure in a couple of years or three, this league is going to be one of the most important leagues in the world.
"Karim [Benzema] left already and I am 1 000% sure that many more players will."
Ronaldo's move to Al Nassr proved to a significant moment in the SPL's history ahead of the country's bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been joined in Saudi by Karim Benzema, who has signed for league champions Al Ittihad, with N'Golo Kante expected to follow the former Real Madrid striker.
Check Out: Ronaldo Slammed After First Six Months At Al Nassr
This week, it was announced that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund had taken majority control of four of the nation's biggest clubs Al Ahli, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Hilal in a move expected to financially help attract big-name stars to the league.
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