Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr Strike Ignites Future Speculation
Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Al-Nassr has been plunged into uncertainty after the Portuguese superstar refused to play in a crucial Saudi Pro League match. The 40-year-old striker, who celebrates his 41st birthday this week, took the drastic action following the controversial transfer of Karim Benzema to title rivals Al-Hilal on deadline day.
Transfer Controversy Sparks Unprecedented Action
Ronaldo's strike came during Al-Nassr's 1-0 victory over Al-Riyadh on Monday, with the veteran forward reportedly furious about Benzema's move. The French striker had his contract with Al-Ittihad terminated before completing a free transfer to Al-Hilal, who currently sit one point above Al-Nassr at the summit of the Saudi Pro League.
What makes this situation particularly contentious is that all three clubs involved - Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ittihad - are owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Ronaldo believes the decision to sanction Benzema's transfer has unfairly strengthened Al-Hilal's title ambitions at the expense of his own club's championship hopes.
Manchester United Return Ruled Out by Former Teammate
The dramatic situation has inevitably sparked speculation about whether Ronaldo will see out the remaining 18 months of his lucrative £488,000-per-day contract with Al-Nassr. This has led to questions about a potential sensational return to Manchester United for a third spell at Old Trafford.
However, former United defender Wes Brown, who played alongside Ronaldo for six years at the Premier League club, has firmly dismissed this possibility. Speaking to BettingLounge, Brown stated: "He's not happy but would Cristiano Ronaldo come back to Manchester United for a third go? I would say no. I can't see how that could happen."
Brown suggested alternative destinations might be more likely for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner: "A move to MLS? Maybe. Maybe he goes back to Portugal and plays there. I'm sure he will still have so many options."
World Cup Ambitions and Immediate Fallout
The former England international also highlighted Ronaldo's continued international ambitions: "The main thing is that he still wants to play in the World Cup and we would have to keep playing and making sure he keeps himself fit to do that."
Since Monday's match, there has been a media blackout from the Al-Nassr camp. Neither Ronaldo, his teammates, nor coaching staff have made public statements. Manager Jorge Jesus saw his scheduled post-match press conference cancelled, while players were instructed not to speak to media representatives.
Title Race Implications and What Comes Next
The timing of this controversy comes at a critical juncture in the Saudi Pro League title race. Al-Hilal have drawn their last two matches, giving Al-Nassr renewed hope in their championship pursuit. Al-Nassr last won the title in 2019, three years before Ronaldo's high-profile arrival from Manchester United in 2022.
Al-Nassr's next fixture sees them host Al-Ittihad on Friday, with Ronaldo's participation remaining uncertain. Meanwhile, league leaders Al-Hilal will face strugglers Al-Akhdoud at home. Should Al-Hilal fail to secure victory, Al-Nassr would have the opportunity to reclaim top spot in the standings.
Brown expressed optimism about resolving the situation: "It's a shock to everyone to see Ronaldo on strike but I honestly think it will get resolved. We'll have to wait and see where it goes from here." The coming days will reveal whether this unprecedented standoff represents a temporary protest or signals the beginning of the end for Ronaldo's Saudi Arabian adventure.
