Cristiano Ronaldo was absent recently, and rumors of a strike were circulating. Now the league has spoken out—with a clear message to the Portuguese player.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the team’s biggest star, was absent from Al-Nassr’s 1-0 win at Al-Riyadh on Monday. So far, there has been only speculation about the reasons, with talk of a strike. On the day of the 41-year-old Portuguese player’s birthday, the league issued a statement that is unlikely to have pleased the five-time world footballer of the year.
According to consistent media reports, the Saudi Arabian Football League has made a clear statement to Ronaldo. “Cristiano has been fully committed to Al-Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the growth and ambitions of the club,” a spokesperson said, according to the British broadcaster BBC and the news agency PA: “But no individual, no matter how important they may be, makes decisions that go beyond their own club.”
According to reports, the Portuguese superstar is said to be angry that the Saudi Public Investment Fund did not invest enough in Al-Nassr, the club where CR7 plays, during the recent transfer window. In contrast, rival Al Hilal, in which the Saudi Public Investment Fund also holds a 75 percent stake, signed Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema (who scored a hat trick on Thursday).
Will Ronaldo play again on Friday?
Ronaldo was already absent from the game against Al Riyadh, but he is not believed to have been injured. Al-Nassr continues on Friday with a home game against Al-Ittihad. It is still unclear whether the Portuguese will play again. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the 41-year-old is expected to miss the game again. Ronaldo himself posted a photo from training on Wednesday. The league spokesman emphasized that the Saudi Pro League, which Ronaldo joined in January 2023, is based on a simple principle: each club operates independently under the same rules. “The clubs have their own boards, their own managers, and their own football management. Decisions on new signings, spending, and strategies are made by these clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance,” the spokesperson said, according to PA.
According to the Portuguese sports newspaper Record, Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr includes an exit clause. The transfer fee is said to be €50 million. “The MLS (in the US) and a return to Europe are emerging as possible destinations,” the paper recently wrote.
