The future of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr is in serious doubt, casting a shadow over the Saudi Pro League. The 40-year-old Portuguese superstar was left out of his club’s squad for Monday’s match against Al-Riyadh, and reports suggest he refused to play, fueled by growing dissatisfaction with the direction of the club under the ownership of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The situation escalated following the transfer of Karim Benzema, Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate, to Al-Hilal from Al-Ittihad. According to sources familiar with the situation at Al Nassr, Ronaldo’s frustration stems from a perceived imbalance in strengthening rival teams while Al Nassr received limited support during the January transfer window. “He’s just competitive and doesn’t like other clubs getting stronger,” one source told the BBC.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in 2022, becoming the highest-paid player in football history with an annual salary of £177m. He signed a new two-year contract in June 2025, but even before that agreement, speculation arose about a potential loan move to Al-Hilal. The PIF controls both Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, as well as Newcastle United, creating a complex dynamic within the league.
The Saudi Pro League responded to the situation with a firm statement, asserting that no individual — however significant — determines decisions beyond their own club.
This message, reported by The New York Times, is a clear indication of the league’s attempt to assert its authority and manage the fallout from Ronaldo’s discontent. The league emphasized that clubs are run independently and are responsible for their own financial management.
Al Nassr’s January transfer activity was minimal, adding only Abdullah Al-Hamdan, a Saudi Arabia international centre-forward, from Al Hilal, and Haydeer Abdulkareem, an Iraqi midfielder, from Al Zawraa SC. This stands in stark contrast to Al-Hilal’s acquisition of Benzema, who made an immediate impact by scoring a hat-trick on his debut against Al Akhdoud, extending Al-Hilal’s lead over Al Nassr to four points in the Saudi Pro League standings.
Ronaldo’s absence from the Al-Riyadh match marked the second consecutive game he has missed, raising questions about his commitment to Al Nassr. He has publicly addressed the reports of a “strike” by posting a picture of himself in training with the club, accompanied by heart emojis in Al Nassr’s colors, seemingly attempting to demonstrate his continued dedication. However, the underlying issues remain unresolved.
The situation highlights the challenges of attracting and retaining global superstars in a relatively new league like the Saudi Pro League. While the league has made significant investments in high-profile players, it is now grappling with the complexities of managing their expectations and ensuring a competitive balance among the PIF-backed clubs. Ronaldo, who was the top scorer in the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League with 25 goals, clearly expects Al Nassr to be a serious contender for the title.
The transfer of Benzema to Al-Hilal appears to be the catalyst for Ronaldo’s current frustration. Having previously played alongside Benzema at Real Madrid, Ronaldo likely views his former teammate’s arrival at a rival club as a significant strengthening of Al-Hilal’s title aspirations. This perceived lack of ambition from Al Nassr’s management is reportedly the core of his discontent.
Despite signing a new two-year contract last June, Ronaldo reportedly has a €50m release clause in his contract. This provides a potential exit route should he and Al Nassr fail to find a resolution to their current impasse. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Ronaldo has yet to win a trophy since joining Al Nassr, having only secured the Arab Club Champions Cup during his time there.
The coming days will be crucial in determining Ronaldo’s future in Saudi Arabia. Al Nassr’s next match is against Al-Ittihad on Friday, and it remains to be seen whether Ronaldo will be included in the squad. The league’s response and Al Nassr’s willingness to address Ronaldo’s concerns will be key factors in resolving this increasingly complex situation. The incident raises broader questions about the long-term sustainability of the Saudi Pro League’s strategy of attracting global stars and the challenges of managing their expectations within a unique ownership structure.
