Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly refused to train with Al Nassr ahead of their upcoming Saudi Pro League clash, raising fresh questions about growing tensions behind the scenes at the club.
The Portuguese superstar, who earns an estimated £488,000 a day, is said to be increasingly frustrated with how Al Nassr is being run under the Saudi Public Investment Fund, particularly when compared with the treatment of rival clubs in the league.
Al Nassr are scheduled to face city rivals Al Riyadh on Monday, but their captain’s availability is now in doubt. Ronaldo has been one of the club’s most reliable performers this season, scoring 18 goals in 22 appearances across all competitions.
Portuguese outlet A Bola reports that sources close to the club claim Ronaldo is unhappy with the way PIF has allocated resources among its Saudi Pro League teams. The sovereign wealth fund holds a 75 percent stake in four clubs: Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli.
While PIF has been instrumental in attracting global stars to Saudi football, Ronaldo reportedly feels Al Nassr has been left behind. Since his arrival in Riyadh in 2023, rival clubs have strengthened aggressively, snapping up high profile players such as Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Despite the league’s overall spending power, Al Nassr have struggled to keep pace in the transfer market. Ronaldo is said to believe the club’s manager, Jorge Jesus, has not been adequately backed, especially when compared to Al Hilal, who continue to reinforce their squad heavily.
During the January transfer window, Al Nassr’s only signing was 21 year old Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem. In contrast, Al Hilal secured Spanish defender Pablo Mari for £1.7 million, spent £26 million on Rennes forward Kader Meite, and are reportedly close to completing another £26 million deal for Neom star Saimon Bouabre.
Ronaldo, who has yet to win a domestic trophy with Al Nassr, is understood to see the lack of investment as a major obstacle to the club’s ambitions. His reported strike appears to be a clear signal of dissatisfaction and a call for change at the top.
