Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr has been thrown into uncertainty after the Portuguese superstar raised concerns over the financial backing his club is receiving compared with rival teams under the same ownership umbrella.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was notably absent from Al-Nassr’s recent league fixture against Al Riyadh, sparking fresh speculation about his displeasure behind the scenes.
Ronaldo, 40, is reportedly unhappy with how Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns Al-Nassr along with clubs including Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, has allocated resources across its teams.
The forward feels Al-Nassr has been disadvantaged in the transfer market, especially compared with rivals who have made high-profile signings this window.
Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Al-Nassr is in serious doubt with the superstar considering quitting
|REUTERS
It comes after Karim Benzema's highly-publicised move from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal, who are top of the Saudi Pro League.
The Frenchman also went on strike after becoming furious with what he perceived as an insulting contract offer from Al-Ittihad, with his current terms set to expire in the summer.
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Karim Benzema was furious with Al-Ittihad chiefs after a reported contract offer
| INSTAGRAMIt saw a move to Al-Hilal paved through, who are leading the SPL by one point - ahead of Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.
And the former Manchester United star is unhappy with the transfer, believing his club are not given the same resources that the other PIF-owned team are.
Strike Action at Al-Nassr
Sources indicate Ronaldo effectively went “on strike” by rejecting inclusion in the matchday squad, a move that reflects his growing discontent with the club’s direction.
This dramatic step has drawn mixed reaction. Some pundits and former players have criticised his actions as “self-indulgent nonsense,” pointing out his reported £487,000-a-day wage and Al-Nassr’s ongoing title ambitions.
Several analysts argue Ronaldo’s protest highlights competitive imbalance within the league’s financial structure, with PIF’s strategy under increasing scrutiny.
Cristiano Ronaldo has gone on strike at Al-Nassr
|REUTERS
Other voices in the media suggest that Ronaldo’s high profile and his willingness to take a stand might force deeper conversations about investment priorities at a time when Saudi clubs are aggressively pursuing global prominence.
Critics have also debated whether Ronaldo’s approach could impact team morale at a crucial stage of the season.
What Happens Next?
Al-Nassr won without Cristiano Ronaldo, with fellow stars Joao Felix and Sadio Mane stepping up
|REUTERS
No official statement has been issued by Ronaldo’s camp, and Al-Nassr have so far declined to publicly elaborate on the situation.
With Al-Nassr currently trailing league leaders by narrow margins, this off-field drama could have real consequences for the club’s title push.
Reports have indicated that Ronaldo does indeed have a release clause in his contract, worth a suspected £43million.
Whether any club is willing to cough up such an amount remains to be seen while the transfer window has shut across Europe, except a handful of countries including Andorra and the Netherlands (though the chances of Ronaldo rocking up at Inter Club d'Escaldes is highly unlikely.
Turkey could be an option for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, where Fenerbahce and Galatasaray have been known to spend big to sign huge names in the past.
The coming days are likely to be crucial, with transfer speculation already rife and Ronaldo’s future in Saudi Arabia, and possibly beyond, remaining one of football’s most intriguing stories of the season.