Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr Strike Over PIF Transfer Dispute
Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly taken the extraordinary step of going on strike at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, missing a crucial Saudi Pro League match amid a deepening row over the club's operations and transfer activity. The Portuguese superstar, who earns an estimated £500,000 per day, was absent for Al-Nassr's league clash against Al-Riyadh on Monday despite being fully fit and available, abandoning his teammates during a tense title race.
The Core of the Controversy
The dispute centres on Ronaldo's dissatisfaction with the Saudi Public Investment Fund's (PIF) management of Al-Nassr and its perceived preferential treatment towards other clubs within its portfolio. Al-Nassr is one of four Saudi Pro League clubs owned by the Saudi state through the PIF, alongside Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad. Ronaldo, the club's captain and talisman, has taken issue with the winter transfer window activity, believing rivals have been favoured.
Specifically, Ronaldo's frustration appears to stem from the contrasting transfer business between Al-Nassr and league leaders Al-Hilal. While Al-Hilal secured the blockbuster signing of Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad, alongside other recruits like former Arsenal defender Pablo Mari and Rennes' teenage star Mohamed Kader Meite for £26 million, Al-Nassr's only acquisition was 21-year-old Iraqi centre-back Hayer Abdulkareem. This perceived lack of ambition has reportedly drawn the ire of the 40-year-old forward.
Implications for Ronaldo and Al-Nassr
This dramatic development throws Ronaldo's future at the club into serious doubt. Having signed a lucrative two-year contract extension last June, making him the poster-boy of Saudi football's ambitious project, his relationship with the club's hierarchy now appears strained. Al-Nassr CEO Jose Semedo has declined to comment on the situation, according to Saudi media reports, adding to the uncertainty.
For Ronaldo, the strike comes at a critical personal and professional juncture. He remains fiercely intent on continuing his playing career, famously stating in December that his "passion is high" and he wants to keep going, whether in the Middle East or Europe. A key motivation is his pursuit of the elusive 1,000-goal barrier, sitting just 39 strikes away. However, with time not on his side, this rift with Al-Nassr's management could prompt a swift departure if not resolved.
Broader Context and Upcoming Fixtures
The timing is particularly awkward for Al-Nassr, who trail Al-Hilal by just one point in the Saudi Pro League title race. Ronaldo has been instrumental this season, boasting 17 goals in 18 league games. His absence leaves a significant void as the club prepares for a mammoth fixture against Al-Ittihad—one of the PIF-owned rivals he supposedly feels is receiving preferential treatment—on Friday 6 February.
Beyond club football, Ronaldo is also set to feature for Portugal at the upcoming World Cup in North America, having received a controversial reprieve from FIFA. Originally facing a three-match ban for a red card against Ireland, FIFA suspended the final two matches of his suspension for good behaviour, contingent on no further infringements. This international commitment underscores his ongoing ambitions, contrasting sharply with his current club standoff.
The situation highlights the complex dynamics within the Saudi football landscape, where state-backed investment meets superstar egos and sporting ambitions. Whether Ronaldo's strike action forces a change in Al-Nassr's strategy or accelerates his exit remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly casts a shadow over the club's title aspirations and the stability of one of world football's most high-profile partnerships.
