Al Ettifaq coach Steven Gerrard admits Cristiano Ronaldo signing for Al Nassr kickstarted the Saudi Pro League's talent drive.

Liverpool great Gerrard took charge of Al Ettifaq over the summer.

He told the SPL website: “I think when the best in history, Cristiano Ronaldo, arrived in January, it was a big deal. He still has a lot to offer football. After the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, within five or six months, we saw the popularity of the League increasing and other renowned players moved to Saudi Arabia.

"There is a difference between the championship before and after Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival, that is clear, and I was also very happy with Al-Ettifaq's invitation to be able to develop here as a coach, something that I really love.

"It's part of my job."