Tough Message from Saudi Pro League Over Ronaldo Match Boycott

Amid ongoing uncertainty over Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Al Nassr, the Saudi Pro League has issued a firm warning: no player, regardless of stature, may make unilateral decisions outside their club. League officials emphasised that all clubs operate independently, and no individual can circumvent established management protocols.

Ronaldo’s frustration reportedly stems from the Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) management of Al Nassr. The PIF, which controls Saudi Arabia’s four major football clubs—Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli—has allegedly granted rival clubs, particularly Al Hilal, greater financial support than Al Nassr.

This perceived imbalance prompted Ronaldo to intervene in a proposed transfer involving Karim Benzema moving from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal. Ronaldo reportedly believed the transfer would give Al Hilal a significant advantage in their title challenge. Benzema subsequently scored a hat-trick on his debut for Al Hilal, leading the team to a resounding 6–0 victory over Al Okhdood.

According to ESPN, Ronaldo had considered boycotting two consecutive league matches due to uncertainty over changes in club management. Should assurances not be forthcoming from the PIF in the coming weeks, Ronaldo may request a transfer away from Al Nassr at the end of the current season in June.

However, the Saudi Pro League maintains that each club operates under its own board and management structure. In a statement to BBC Sport, a league spokesperson said:

“The league’s framework ensures that each club is independently managed. Decisions regarding squad selection, financial expenditure, and strategy rest solely with the clubs. These rules are applied equally to all.”

The spokesperson added, “Since joining Al Nassr, Ronaldo has played a significant role in the club’s development. Nevertheless, no individual, no matter how prominent, is permitted to make decisions outside their club’s governance.”

Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in 2022 after leaving Manchester United, reportedly earning £177 million per year, making him the highest-paid footballer in the world at the time. To date, his honours with Al Nassr include only the Arab Club Champions Cup. In June last year, Ronaldo renewed his contract with the club for an additional two years.

Currently, Al Hilal lead the Saudi Pro League with 50 points from 20 matches, while Al Nassr sit third, four points adrift, having played one match fewer. It remains uncertain whether Ronaldo will feature in Al Nassr’s upcoming match against Al Ittihad.