Cristiano Ronaldo Strike: Omitted From Al Nassr Squad Amid Transfer Dispute

Cristiano Ronaldo’s discontent at Al Nassr continues to escalate, manifesting in a second consecutive absence from the team’s matchday squad. The 41-year-old Portuguese superstar reportedly remains on strike, protesting the club’s lack of activity in the January transfer window and a perceived imbalance in investment within the Saudi Pro League.

Al Nassr faced Al Ittihad on Friday, February 6, 2026, without their talisman, following a similar situation earlier in the week against Al Riyadh. This latest snub comes after Ronaldo reportedly refused to train with the team, fueled by frustration over the sale of Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal. Benzema, a former Real Madrid teammate of Ronaldo, made an immediate impact with a hat-trick on his debut for Al Hilal, further exacerbating Ronaldo’s concerns about the competitive landscape.

The Saudi Pro League has responded to the situation with a firm statement, emphasizing the independence of each club’s financial and strategic decisions. A league spokesperson asserted, “The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: Every club operates independently under the same rules. Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. That framework applies equally across the league.” This message serves as a direct rebuke to Ronaldo’s attempts to influence Al Nassr’s transfer policy, underlining that “no individual — however significant — determines decisions beyond their own club.”

Ronaldo’s frustration stems from what he perceives as a lack of investment in strengthening the Al Nassr squad. Despite three years in Saudi Arabia without a major title, the club made limited moves in the winter transfer window, adding only Abdullah Al-Hamdan from Al Hilal and Haydeer Abdulkareem from Al-Zawraa. The contrast with Al Hilal’s acquisition of Benzema, both clubs being 75% majority owned by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), has reportedly left Ronaldo feeling “betrayed.”

Sources indicate that Ronaldo is seeking assurances from senior figures within the PIF regarding future investment in Al Nassr. His contract is set to expire this year, and speculation has emerged about a potential return to his former club, Sporting. However, the immediate focus remains on resolving the current impasse and convincing Ronaldo to rejoin the team.

The situation is complicated by the fact that Al Hilal currently holds a four-point lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League table. A win for Al Nassr against Al Ittihad, even without Ronaldo, could narrow the gap to one point, highlighting the importance of every match in the title race. Al Nassr were expecting Ronaldo to play against Al Ittihad despite his absence from Monday’s match, but he again did not feature in the squad.

This isn’t the first instance of Ronaldo expressing his dissatisfaction with the club’s management. Reports suggest he has been disgruntled by the running of Al Nassr by the PIF for some time, and Benzema’s move to a direct rival has proven to be a breaking point. The league’s warning underscores the delicate balance between star power and institutional independence within the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo has been a prolific goalscorer since joining Al Nassr, netting 17 goals in 18 matches. His absence is undoubtedly a blow to the team’s attacking options, and his continued protest raises questions about his long-term commitment to the club. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether a resolution can be reached and whether Ronaldo will return to the pitch for Al Nassr.

The incident also raises broader questions about the expectations and realities of attracting global superstars to emerging football leagues. While the Saudi Pro League has made significant investments in talent, managing the demands and expectations of players like Ronaldo requires a delicate approach that balances individual ambition with the collective interests of the league and its clubs.