Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly ‘refusing’ to play in Al-Nassr’s next fixture against Al-Riyadh on Monday.
The shock news comes hours after Fabrizio Romano revealed Ronaldo would miss the game, adding: “His absence is not related to any physical issue nor to workload or fitness management.”
Ronaldo, who currently occupies 10th place in GiveMeSport’s Ballon d’Or Power Rankings, has scored 117 goals in 133 matches since completing his shock move to Al-Nassr after leaving Manchester United in November 2022. But despite his goals, the 40-year-old hasn’t yet managed to help his current employers win the Saudi Pro League.
His one collective trophy with Al-Nassr, to date, was the Arab Club Champions Cup, which Al-Nassr secured thanks to a Ronaldo brace against Al-Hilal in August 2023.
Romano’s update left puzzled football fans scratching their heads, questioning why Ronaldo - who rarely misses matches - won’t be featuring against Al-Riyadh when he wasn’t injured. However, an explanation has now emerged.
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Report Explains Why Ronaldo Will Not Play For Al-Nassr
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo after playing Al Nassr
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, via AS and Flashscore, Ronaldo is refusing to play for Al-Nassr because he’s ‘dissatisfied with the management of the team’ - which is carried out by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The report explains that Cristiano is angry with the way the PIF is handling Al-Nassr compared to their rivals - in particular Al-Hilal, who are poised to sign legendary striker Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad.
Al-Hilal, who spent big last summer on several high-profile players including Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez and AC Milan left-back Theo Hernandez, have reached a €30 million deal with sign 18-year-old French striker Kader Meite and are now poised to add Benzema to their ranks.
Ronaldo 'Opposing' Benzema's Transfer to Al-Hilal
Karim Benzema
However, prominent Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu posted on X late on Sunday night: “Cristiano Ronaldo is opposing Karim Benzema’s transfer to Al-Hilal on the grounds that it would ‘damage the fair competition environment’.
“Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Benzema’s representative and the Saudi Pro League management are continuing their discussions to resolve the issue.”
A Bola’s report also states that Al-Nassr has two Portuguese members on its board, Simao Coutinho (sports director) and Jose Semedo (CEO), but their powers are understood to have been frozen at the beginning of the month following a decision by the Board of Directors. This has also contributed towards Ronaldo’s feeling of discontent towards the leaders of the PIF.
Al-Nassr currently sit second in the Saudi Pro League table, level on points with Al-Ahli, but three points behind Al-Hilal. Ronaldo is currently second in the top scorer charts with 17 goals, one fewer than England international Ivan Toney, who plies his trade with Al-Ahli.