The ongoing situation at Al-Nassr continues to deepen, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s apparent boycott of team activities now intertwined with the future of head coach Jorge Jesus. The Portuguese superstar has missed recent matches, including Monday’s Saudi Pro League game against Al Riyadh, reportedly in protest over the club’s transfer policy and perceived lack of ambition in the winter window.
Adding another layer of complexity, reports indicate that Jesus’s own position is now contingent on Ronaldo remaining with the club. According to sources quoted in the Saudi publication Al-Riyadiyah, Jesus will not even begin discussions regarding a contract extension unless he receives assurances that Ronaldo will be part of the team next season. Currently, Jesus is under contract with Al-Nassr until the end of the current campaign.
Ronaldo’s discontent reportedly stems from a combination of factors. Beyond the perceived lack of significant signings during the winter transfer period, the move of Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal is also believed to have played a role. This transfer, strengthening a rival club, appears to have highlighted what Ronaldo views as a failure by Al-Nassr’s management to adequately reinforce the squad.
The situation is particularly noteworthy given Jesus’s recent absences from press conferences, mirroring Ronaldo’s unavailability on the pitch. This parallel behavior has fueled speculation about a potential rift between the coach and the club, or at least a shared frustration with the direction of the organization. While a source close to Jesus has stated that the coach has no immediate plans to leave and intends to honor his current contract, the condition attached to any potential extension significantly alters the dynamic.
Despite the internal turmoil, Al-Nassr managed a crucial 2-0 victory over Al-Ittihad on in the 21st round of the Saudi Roshan League. This win, secured at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium, keeps Al-Nassr firmly in contention for the league title. After 20 rounds, they currently sit in second place with 49 points, having accumulated 16 victories and one draw, with only three losses.
However, the long-term implications of Ronaldo and Jesus’s stances are considerable. Ronaldo’s track record is one of consistent success throughout his career, and his frustration with a perceived lack of investment in the squad raises questions about his commitment to Al-Nassr beyond the current season. He has “always won everything he played for,” as the new Al Nassr coach Jorge Jesus stated, and his absence from winning in Saudi Arabia is clearly a point of contention.
Jesus, similarly, appears unwilling to commit his future to a project he doesn’t believe has the resources to compete at the highest level. His willingness to complete his current contract, but refusal to discuss an extension without Ronaldo’s continued presence, demonstrates a clear alignment with the star player’s ambitions. This creates a potentially precarious situation for Al-Nassr’s management, who must now navigate the demands of both a global icon and a respected coach.
The club recently saw some positive movement on the financial front, with Ronaldo reportedly influencing management to settle outstanding dues to employees. Al-Nassr earned 2.7 million euros from the loan of Jon Duran to Zenit St. Petersburg, and officially loaned John Duran to Russia until 2026. These developments, while positive, do little to address the core issue of on-field competitiveness and the perceived lack of ambition in the transfer market.
The ambiguity surrounding Jesus’s future is further compounded by reports suggesting Ronaldo is even considering leaving Al-Nassr altogether. This potential departure would be a significant blow to the club’s prestige and ambitions, and would likely trigger a cascade of changes within the organization. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Al-Nassr can resolve these issues and retain both Ronaldo and Jesus, or whether the club is on the verge of a major upheaval.
The situation is being closely watched throughout the Saudi Pro League, as it highlights the challenges of attracting and retaining top talent in a rapidly evolving football landscape. Al-Nassr’s ability to navigate this crisis will not only determine their own fate, but could also set a precedent for other clubs seeking to establish themselves as major players in the region.
