Cristiano Ronaldo’s standoff with Al-Nassr has deepened, with the Portugal forward prepared to boycott a second consecutive Saudi Pro League fixture amid mounting frustration over governance and investment structures surrounding the club.
The veteran declined selection for Monday’s 1-0 league victory over Al Riyadh, citing dissatisfaction with financial oversight and strategic imbalance across the league.
Concerns centre on perceived preferential backing for rivals Al Hilal, viewed internally as undermining competitive integrity.
Further tension emerged during the January transfer window, when Ronaldo attempted to obstruct the proposed move of Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal.
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The intervention reflected fears of deliberate title-path engineering through targeted reinforcement of one contender.
Sources close to the situation have told ESPN that no return to competitive action will occur without firm assurances from the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund regarding changes to Al-Nassr’s management model.
If there are no guarantees in the coming weeks, an exit request is expected in June.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s standoff with Al-Nassr has deepened, with the Portugal forward prepared to boycott a second consecutive Saudi Pro League fixture amid mounting frustration over governance and investment structures surrounding the club
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Training participation continued during the week, with Ronaldo posting images in Al Nassr training kit across personal social platforms.
Official club channels, however, focused coverage on coaching staff and squad sessions, omitting any visual reference to the marquee signing.
Behind closed doors, demands have been communicated linking a competitive return to restored autonomy for Al Nassr’s executive leadership and a commitment preventing mid-season intervention in recruitment processes.
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Tensions intensified following suspensions imposed by PIF on sporting director Simão Coutinho and chief executive José Semedo, both compatriots of Ronaldo.
The removals stalled recruitment momentum and coincided with a significant reduction in operational spending, restricting squad development under coach Jorge Jesus.
In contrast, Al-Hilal benefited from a substantial financial injection from Saudi billionaire Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, a leading benefactor holding a minority stake.
All Al-Hilal signings during the window, including Benzema, were financed independently of PIF resources, despite PIF retaining majority ownership.
Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction is sharpened by the absence of major silverware since arriving in Riyadh in 2022.
Cristiano Ronaldo was furious that Karim Benzema was allowed to join Al-Hilal
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Although approaches from Europe and the United States remain active, an immediate departure is considered disruptive to long-term international ambitions.
A contract extension signed last summer runs until June 2027 and includes a €50million release clause.
League executives remain reluctant to lose the competition’s most influential global figure. Promises of extensive summer investment have been relayed, with Bruno Fernandes cited among potential high-profile reinforcements.
Al-Hilal chief executive Esteve Calzada dismissed claims of imbalance, emphasising internal focus and pointing to strong recruitment activity elsewhere in the league.
Benzema’s arrival, according to Calzada, represents a rare convergence of sporting opportunity and commercial impact.
With Al-Hilal holding a one-point lead at the summit, the rivalry is likely to intensify further in the coming weeks and months.