Cristiano Ronaldo's war with the Saudi Pro League remains ongoing, with the veteran considering missing Al-Nassr's crunch showdown with Al-Ittihad tonight despite receiving a stern warning.
The forward opted to strike earlier this week, having grown frustrated with what he perceives to be Al-Nassr's rivals receiving preferential treatment over his own side.
On transfer deadline day, Al-Hilal secured the signing of Karim Benzema with the reigning champions bringing in one of the best forwards of his generation.
This infuriated Ronaldo, especially with Al-Nassr only signing a young Iraqi midfielder called Hayder Abdulkareem, with the 41-year-old privately feeling that his team aren't being treated fairly.
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On Thursday, the Saudi Pro League released a statement condemning Ronaldo for his actions.
“The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules," they said.
“Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership.
Cristiano Ronaldo's war with the Saudi Pro League remains ongoing, with the veteran considering missing Al-Nassr's crunch showdown with Al-Ittihad tonight despite receiving a stern warning
|GETTY
“Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance.
"That framework applies equally across the league.”
They continued: “Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al-Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win.
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Five things to know about Cristiano Ronaldo | GB NEWS“But no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club.
“Recent transfer activity demonstrates that independence clearly. One club strengthened in a particular way.
“Another chose a different approach. Those were club decisions, taken within approved financial parameters.”
Despite that warning, however, Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Ronaldo is considering extending his strike to tonight's fixture - in a clear indicator that his ongoing battle with Saudi supremos is showing no signs of slowing down.
“I can tell you that Cristiano remains upset. Cristiano remains upset with the situation," Romano said on his YouTube channel.
“I told you in a video yesterday, let’s not overreact – Cristiano to MLS, Cristiano breaking his contract, and this kind of stuff. For now, let’s not overreact.
Cristiano Ronaldo was furious that Karim Benzema was allowed to join Al-Hilal | GETTY“But for the present, to give you an update, to give you news, Cristiano Ronaldo, according to my information, will not play a crucial game on Friday because Cristiano has no injury, no fitness management, no physical problems.
“So, forget about that. Cristiano is fit but Cristiano will not be without squad exactly as he did a few days ago.
"Why? Because Cristiano remains upset with the management from the Saudi group, especially PIF, that is taking care of several clubs in Saudi.”
Should Ronaldo leave Saudi, a move to the MLS could be on the cards.
Lionel Messi, his long-term rival, currently plays for David Beckham's Inter Miami side.
Ronaldo could even end up retiring this year once the 2026 World Cup is out of the way.