Ivorian international Franck Kessié hails Cristiano Ronaldo 

Franck Kessié has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as more than just a footballer, describing the Portuguese forward as an influencer whose bold move to Saudi Arabia paved the way for many European stars to follow.

The Ivorian international, now with Al-Ahli after spells with AC Milan and Barcelona, praised Ronaldo’s impact during an interview posted by content creator Just Riadh.

With a smile, Kessié said: He’s truly an influencer. He arrived in Saudi Arabia on his own, and we all followed.

Ronaldo stunned world football when he left Manchester United in January 2023 to join Al-Nassr, in what was initially viewed as a daring gamble.

The Portuguese great insisted the move was driven by a long-term project to grow the Saudi Pro League’s global stature.

Since then, his presence has helped trigger a wave of high-profile arrivals from Europe.

Among those to join the league after Ronaldo’s arrival are African stars Sadio Mané, Riyad Mahrez, Édouard Mendy and Kessié himself, along with French World Cup winners N’Golo Kanté and Karim Benzema.

Collectively, their signings have transformed the competition’s profile and made it one of the most talked-about leagues outside Europe.

Kessié reserved particular admiration for Ronaldo’s remarkable longevity.

At 40, he still scores 20 or 25 goals a season. He’s still here, hasn’t retired, and plays every game, the midfielder said, describing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as a monster for maintaining his elite standards so late into his career.

Now 28, Kessié is in the final year of his Al-Ahli contract.

The reigning Africa Cup of Nations champion faces a decision about his future, with the option of extending his stay in Saudi Arabia or returning to Europe, where he made his name in Serie A and La Liga.

Regardless of his next step, Kessié made clear that Ronaldo’s pioneering role has left a permanent mark on Saudi football’s rise.

His words echo a sentiment shared by many of the league’s newer stars: that without Ronaldo’s leap of faith, the Saudi Pro League might not have drawn the same calibre of international talent.

For Kessié, Ronaldo remains both a rival on the pitch and a trailblazer off it — a player whose influence extends far beyond goals and trophies.