Ronaldo to Leave Al-Nassr? Salah Transfer Fuels Saudi Exit Rumors

The future of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr is increasingly uncertain as speculation mounts regarding a potential move for Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah to the Saudi Pro League. Reports indicate growing discontent from the Portuguese star, coinciding with a perceived imbalance in squad strengthening within the Saudi clubs backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Ronaldo has reportedly expressed his frustration with the PIF’s transfer policy, leading to his absence from Al-Nassr’s recent matches against Al-Riyadh and Al-Ittihad. This comes after witnessing Al-Hilal, another PIF-backed club, secure the signing of Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, a move that appears to have exacerbated his concerns about competitive balance.

Benzema made an immediate impact, scoring a hat-trick in his debut match for Al-Hilal, while Ronaldo sat out two crucial games for Al-Nassr. The situation has escalated to the point where Ronaldo received a stern warning from the Saudi League regarding his public dispute.

The Saudi League issued a statement emphasizing the independence of each club within the league: “The Roshn Saudi League operates on a simple principle: each club works independently according to the same rules. Each club has its own board of directors, executive management and football leadership. Decisions regarding contracts, spending, and strategy are the responsibility of the clubs, within a financial framework that ensures sustainability and competitive balance, and this framework applies to everyone without exception.”

The league continued, acknowledging Ronaldo’s contribution to Al-Nassr but asserting that no individual, regardless of stature, can dictate decisions that override the club’s authority. “Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al-Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth, and ambitions. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win, but no individual – no matter how important – can impose decisions that exceed his club.”

Recent moves in the transfer market, the statement continued, demonstrate this independence. “These movements in the transfer market clearly confirm this independence. One club strengthened its ranks in a certain way, and another chose a different approach. These are club decisions made within the approved financial frameworks. The competitiveness in the league is clear, as the gap between the top four clubs does not exceed a few points, meaning that the title race is still open. This balance reflects a system that is working as planned, and the focus remains on football on the field, where it should be.”

Could Ronaldo Depart, Paving the Way for Salah?
Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood believes this season could be Ronaldo’s last in Saudi Arabia, with Mohamed Salah potentially taking his place.

“You have to have some sympathy for Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s natural he’s going to be unhappy when signings aren’t made the way he wants them to be when he’s earning £500,000 a day,” Sherwood told Casinostuga. “Does Mohamed Salah going there mean the end of Ronaldo’s journey in Saudi Arabia? Yes, absolutely. We’re used to his constant battles, starting with Lionel Messi. We were lucky to watch the era of Ronaldo and Messi, who are gods of football, and now we have the Egyptian god Mohamed Salah too.”

Sherwood added, “I’m happy Salah is staying in the Premier League for now, but he won’t be here next season. He will leave in the summer, and most likely to Saudi Arabia, and there won’t be a bigger star than him when he arrives. I just hope this story hasn’t been misrepresented for Ronaldo, because it doesn’t look good for him.”

Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool remains uncertain following a public disagreement with the club and manager Arne Slot at the end of last year, accusing them of “throwing him under the bus” after being left on the bench. While Salah has returned to the team after representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, doubts persist about his long-term commitment beyond the current season.

Salah’s contract with Liverpool extends until 2027, but he continues to be a primary target for Saudi clubs in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Al-Nassr fans demonstrated their support for Ronaldo by displaying banners with his name and number during their victory over Al-Ittihad, but they await clarity on the veteran star’s return to the field. Meanwhile, Liverpool and Salah face a challenging test on Sunday when they host Manchester City at Anfield in a Premier League fixture.