Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Al-Nassr is under scrutiny after he was left out of Monday’s squad against Al-Riyadh, sparking rumors of frustration with the club’s management.
Portuguese outlet A Bola reports that Ronaldo, 41, refused to play, reportedly unsettled by recent decisions under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which controls both Al-Nassr and rivals Al-Hilal. Sources told BBC Sport that the move of former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema to Al-Hilal, where he scored a hat-trick on his debut, added fuel to Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction.
The Saudi Pro League has stepped in, reminding that “no individual determines decisions beyond their own club.” A spokesperson told BBC Sport that clubs operate independently, with full control over recruitment, spending, and strategy within league approved financial rules.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr mid 2022 from Manchester United, becoming the highest-paid player in football history on a £177 million annual deal. Despite the record salary, his only trophy with the club remains the Arab Club Champions Cup. He signed a two-year contract extension in June 2025, though speculation about a potential move including a loan to Al-Hilal surfaced before the new deal.
Al-Nassr’s only signing this January was Iraq Under-23 midfielder Hayder Abdulkareem, while Al-Hilal remain unbeaten, topping the league with 50 points after 20 games. Al-Nassr sit third, four points adrift but with a game in hand. Ronaldo posted a training photo on Wednesday, but it is unclear if he will feature against Al-Ittihad on Friday.
