Cristiano Ronaldo refuses to play against Al-Riyadh
Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly refused to play ahead of Al-Nassr’s fixture against local rivals Al-Riyadh today, reports BritPanorama.
The 40-year-old forward, whose earnings of £488,000 per day make him football’s highest-paid player, is said to be frustrated with the financial management of his club by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
A source within Al-Nassr allegedly informed the Portuguese newspaper A Bola that Ronaldo believes the PIF is favouring rival clubs over his own side. The Saudi Pro League outfit may now face their encounter without their talisman, who has scored 18 goals in 22 matches this season.
The PIF holds a 75 per cent stake in four top-flight Saudi clubs: Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Nassr. This investment vehicle has played a crucial role in attracting elite talent to the Middle Eastern league through substantial financial packages.
Since Ronaldo’s high-profile arrival in Riyadh in 2023, stars including Karim Benzema, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Riyad Mahrez have also relocated to the kingdom, signing with Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli, respectively. However, Ronaldo reportedly feels that Al-Nassr has received inferior treatment in the transfer market compared to competitors.
Unlike Al-Hilal, which secured defender Pablo Mari for £1.7 million and invested £26 million in attacker Kader Meite, Al-Nassr’s sole acquisition in January was 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem. Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus publicly addressed the imbalance last month, asserting that his club “does not have the political power of Al-Hilal,” provoking a backlash from his rivals, who sought a suspension on Jesus lasting between six months and one year.
Despite the unrest, Ronaldo continues to enjoy a productive campaign, having contributed 18 goals in 22 matches across all competitions. His most recent strike came in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 victory over Al-Kholood last Friday, bringing his career tally to 961 goals. The Portuguese icon has hinted that he may not finish his career in Saudi Arabia, expressing a desire to play on while pursuing the milestone of 1,000 career goals.
“My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going,” he said.
In this evolving saga, Ronaldo’s potential absence looms large over Al-Nassr as they navigate the complexities of elite football investments and internal expectations.
