Cristiano Ronaldo Sidelined for Second Successive Al Nassr Fixture
The ongoing dispute between Cristiano Ronaldo and his Saudi Pro League club, Al Nassr, has escalated, with the Portuguese superstar being omitted from the squad for a second consecutive match. The 41-year-old forward was notably absent from the line-up for Friday night's crucial encounter against Al Ittihad, following his earlier exclusion from Monday's victory over Al Riyadh.
Transfer Frustrations Fuel Ronaldo's Absence
Sources close to the situation indicate that Ronaldo's absence stems from his profound dissatisfaction with Al Nassr's lack of activity during the recent January transfer window. The Portugal captain is reportedly upset that the club failed to secure significant reinforcements, while their direct rivals, Al Hilal, bolstered their squad by acquiring his former Real Madrid teammate, Karim Benzema, from the very opponents Al Nassr faced on Friday.
This perceived inaction is believed to be at the heart of the dispute, with Ronaldo feeling the club's ambition does not match his own desire to compete for top honours. The situation is complicated by the ownership structure, as both Al Nassr and Al Hilal are 75% majority-owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Saudi Pro League Issues Firm Statement on Club Autonomy
In response to the growing speculation, the Saudi Pro League issued a clear statement on Thursday, reinforcing the principle of individual club independence within its competitive framework. A league spokesperson emphasized that "no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club."
The statement elaborated: "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."
The spokesperson acknowledged Ronaldo's importance to Al Nassr's growth but reiterated that the league's focus remains on maintaining a credible and balanced competition where on-pitch performance is paramount.
Financial Mechanisms Behind the Transfer Window
Further investigation reveals that transfer funds in the Saudi Pro League are not directly disbursed by the PIF. Instead, a centrally overseen player acquisition fund provides annual allocations to clubs based on their size and stature. The country's 'big four' clubs – Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli – are understood to have received roughly equivalent sums ahead of the 2025 summer transfer window.
Al Nassr's significant spending in that period, which included high-profile signings like Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman, as well as securing Ronaldo on a new contract until June 2027, is believed to have largely depleted their allocated funds until the next tranche is received before the 2026 summer window opens.
Critically, Al Hilal's acquisition of Karim Benzema was reportedly financed separately by a private investor, an avenue that was also available to Al Nassr but was not pursued during the January window. This disparity in approach has seemingly become a focal point of Ronaldo's discontent, highlighting the strategic differences between the two rival clubs despite their shared majority ownership.
The league's statement pointed to the current, tightly contested title race as evidence that its system is functioning as intended, with only a few points separating the top four teams. However, Ronaldo's continued absence from the Al Nassr squad underscores a significant rift between the player's expectations and the club's current operational strategy, casting a shadow over their campaign as the season progresses.
