Cristiano Ronaldo claims his Saudi move opened ‘a box’ for Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante to follow

Cristiano Ronaldo believes his move to Saudi Arabia earlier this year opened ‘a box’ for other players to make the switch.

Ronaldo left Manchester United before signing a mega £175 million a year contract with Al-Nassr.

Since then, Saudi Pro League clubs have become more involved in the European transfer market and have repeatedly been linked with transfers of some of football’s biggest talents.

Lionel Messi was long linked with a move to Al-Hilal before joining Inter Miami, while N’Golo Kante is on the verge of completing the move to Al-Ittihad and signing a £172 million contract with the club for signed for two years.

Karim Benzema – the reigning Ballon d’Or winner – stunned European football fans by transferring to Real Madrid’s Al-Ittihad in the biggest coup for the Saudi Pro League since the arrival of Ronaldo.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner told media he is sure many more European stars will join him

Karim Benzema was revealed as an Al-Ittihad player after closing a deal worth £258 million

“I knew my departure to Saudi Arabia would open a box and I wasn’t wrong,” Ronaldo admitted.

“I am sure that in a few years or three years this competition will be one of the most important competitions in the world.

“Karim has already left and I am 1000 percent sure many more players will.”

Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia has seemingly been the turning point in the division’s recruiting campaign, with few elite players making the move.

Since then, a number of names have been rumored to be linked to a move to the Middle East in its wake.

Messi may have chosen Inter Miami, but his former teammate Sergio Busquets has been linked with a £13 million per season contract to join Al-Hilal.

Al-Hilal – who finished third last season – is also rumored to be interested in Jordi Alba, who could potentially reunite the pair upon leaving Nou Camp.

Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez, who is chasing a Treble this season, has also been linked with a deal, this time at Al Ahli.

Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante is also linked to Al-Ittihad and has undergone a medical

Saudi side Al-Ahli reportedly have a concrete interest in signing Riyad Mahrez

While the deals with Kante and Benzema did not involve paying fees to Chelsea and Real Madrid respectively, Manchester City have insisted that Mahrez will not leave in vain.

Mahrez still has two years left on his contract, which expires in 2025, and it is unclear if he is interested in a move.

Al-Ahli was one of four clubs taken over by the Saudi Public Investment Fund this week, along with Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal.

It was claimed that the move will “unleash a variety of commercial opportunities, including investments, partnerships and sponsorships across a range of sports.”