Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly refused to play for Al-Nassr ahead of their upcoming match against local rivals Al-Riyadh on Monday. The 40-year-old forward, who commands a record-breaking daily salary of £488,000, expresses frustration over the management of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and its handling of the club’s finances.
Background on the Dispute
Sources close to the club indicate that Ronaldo believes Al-Nassr is not receiving fair treatment in the transfer market compared to its competitors. The PIF holds a 75 percent stake in four prominent Saudi Pro League teams: Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Nassr. This fund has fueled the league’s recruitment of global stars through substantial contracts since Ronaldo’s high-profile arrival in 2023.
Following Ronaldo’s move, players like Karim Benzema, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Riyad Mahrez joined Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli on lucrative deals. Despite ongoing squad enhancements across these teams, Ronaldo, who has yet to secure a domestic title with Al-Nassr, feels his side lags behind. He has netted 18 goals in 22 appearances this season but now risks missing the next game as captain.
Transfer Market Imbalances
Al-Nassr’s manager, Jorge Jesus, has voiced concerns about financial disparities. In the recent January transfer window, Al-Nassr added only 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem. In contrast, Al-Hilal, under Simone Inzaghi, invested £1.7 million in Spanish defender Pablo Mari and £26 million for Rennes striker Kader Meite. The club is also nearing a £26 million deal for Neom’s Saimon Bouabre.
Last month, Jesus highlighted the issue, stating that Al-Nassr lacks the ‘political power’ of Al-Hilal—a club he once led. This criticism led Al-Hilal to urge the Saudi Pro League to suspend Jesus for six months to a year.
Ronaldo’s Future Ambitions
In December, during an awards ceremony in Dubai, Ronaldo hinted at potential moves while reaffirming his drive. Accompanied by his wife Georgina Rodriguez, he remarked, ‘My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going. I will reach the number (1,000 goals) for sure, if no injuries.’
The Portuguese star recently tallied his 961st career goal in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 victory over Al-Kholood last Friday, underscoring his ongoing pursuit of the milestone.
