I was popular in Arab football before the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo - Ghana legend Mohammed Polo

Ghana legend, Mohammed Polo says he was influential in Arab football even before Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival.

The Gulf region has recently attracted some big names in world football with some staggering wages.

Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in January and has since been followed by current Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema to Al-Ittihad.

Also, N’Golo Kante has swapped Chelsea for Al-Ittihad, while Edouard Mendy has also joined Al-Ahli in the Saudi top flight.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson recently joined Al-Ettifaq, reuniting with former Reds teammate Stephen Gerrard, who manages the club.

Reacting to a recent claim by Ronaldo that he made Arab football popular and an attractive destination, Polo, who played for UAE club Al-Wasl from 1979 to 1984 told Angel FM: "It's not true.”

"Ronaldo is a latter-day saint. This is his time, Before Ronaldo, we were there.

“I mean, slavery started in the Arab world and there is no way an Arab will carry a black person but they carried me because of football. They just could not let it go. Even at that time, it was at the twilight of my career," he added.

Polo was a household name in Ghana football in the 1970s and 1980s while playing for Ghana Premier League giants Accra Hearts of Oak.

He was also an integral member of the Black Stars team that won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1978.

The 66-year-old’s impressive performances earned him a nomination for the African Footballer of the Year award in 1977.

Polo is widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever to emerge from Ghana and was dubbed the ‘Dribbling Magician’ during his playing days.