Cristiano Ronaldo's Protest Escalates as He Skips Second Al Nassr Fixture
Cristiano Ronaldo is poised to miss his second consecutive match for Al Nassr, as his apparent strike over club backing continues unabated. The Portuguese superstar, who celebrated his 41st birthday on Thursday, previously sat out Monday's victory over Al Riyadh, fueling speculation about his discontent.
Training Return Fails to Quell Dispute
Hopes that Ronaldo had ended his protest were briefly raised when he posted a training image on social media on Wednesday. However, those expectations have now been dashed, with the forward expected to sit out Friday's crucial match against reigning champions Al Ittihad. This fixture is widely viewed as a must-win for Al Nassr, who currently trail league leaders Al Hilal by four points in the Saudi Pro League standings.
Ronaldo's Grievances Over Rival Spending
Ronaldo's frustration stems from what he perceives as unequal support from the Saudi government compared to other clubs. He is reportedly angered by Al Hilal's acquisition of Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad, while Al Nassr's only January signing was a young midfielder. Benzema immediately made an impact, scoring a hat-trick in Al Hilal's 6-0 thrashing of Al Akhdoud on Thursday night.
The veteran forward believes his club, which has yet to win a title, does not receive the same level of backing as Al Hilal and other teams owned by the country's sovereign wealth fund. Despite earning nearly £500,000 per day, Ronaldo feels Al Nassr's ambitions are being hampered by this disparity.
Contractual Complexities and Future Prospects
Ronaldo has 18 months remaining on his contract, which includes a £43 million release clause. However, finding a suitor willing to pay that sum for a 41-year-old appears challenging. While Major League Soccer clubs can sign designated players, few could match his current salary. Sources confirm a return to Manchester United is not feasible.
Al Nassr have already invested £100 million this season, and Ronaldo has input into each signing. League officials maintain that funding is distributed evenly across all Public Investment Fund clubs. Interestingly, Benzema's move was privately funded, suggesting Al Nassr could pursue similar avenues if they secure backing.
The Pro League has declined to comment, though insiders indicate officials are perplexed by the situation. As Ronaldo's protest persists, it raises questions about his future and Al Nassr's ability to compete with their richly supported rivals.
