Speculation is mounting over the relationship between Cristiano Ronaldo and his club Al Nassr, with reports suggesting tensions may be rising. The Saudi Pro League fixture sees Al Nassr face Al Riyadh today at 9:15 PM Bangladeshi time. However,The 39-year-old superstar has decided to sit out the game.
Initially, it was believed that Ronaldo was simply being rested ahead of next Friday’s crucial clash against champions Al Ittihad. Yet sources close to the club indicate that the reason for his absence is not physical. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward is reportedly fit to play, but other factors are influencing his decision.
According to insiders, Ronaldo is reportedly frustrated with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, which governs the country’s top four football clubs. The Portuguese forward has allegedly accused the PIF of favouring rival clubs such as Al Hilal over Al Nassr.
As team captain, Ronaldo’s primary grievances centre on investment and recruitment. Under coach Jorge Jesus, Al Nassr has made minimal additions this winter transfer window, signing only Haider Abdul Karim, a 21-year-old midfielder from Iraq.
Administrative changes have also fuelled his dissatisfaction. Two Portuguese executives—Sporting Director Simao Coutinho and CEO Jose Semedo—have had their powers curtailed since the beginning of this month, a move that reportedly worsened Ronaldo’s frustrations. In contrast, Al Hilal has been aggressively strengthening its squad.
| Club | New Signings | Estimated Spending (Million Euros) | Notable Additions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Nassr | 1 | Unknown | Haider Abdul Karim (Iraq, 21) |
| Al Hilal | 3 | 33 | Pablo Mari (Fiorentina), Kader Meite (Reims), Simon Buaabrek |
| Al Ittihad | 1 | Unknown | Potential: Karim Benzema (from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal) |
Ronaldo’s frustration is compounded by Al Hilal’s high-profile acquisitions, including Pablo Mari from Fiorentina and the €3 million signing of young French forward Kader Meite. Rumours that Karim Benzema could leave Al Ittihad for Al Hilal have also added to his discontent. Meanwhile, Italian coach Simone Inzaghi’s Al Hilal has spent €30 million to secure Simon Buaabrek.
This potential “boycott” is not the first sign of unrest within Al Nassr’s hierarchy. In mid-January, coach Jorge Jesus publicly stated that “Al Nassr’s political influence is not comparable to Al Hilal’s.” Following this remark, Al Hilal authorities reportedly filed a request to suspend Jesus for six months to a year.
Experts suggest that unless administrative and investment issues are addressed, Ronaldo’s absence could become a recurring issue, potentially impacting Al Nassr’s performance in key matches throughout the season.