Having grown frustrated with how Al-Nassr’s owners have treated the club - with PIF seemingly paying more attention to other clubs in their portfolio, like Al-Hilal, who they have strengthened by signing Karim Benzema - Cristiano Ronaldo has gone on strike. The Portuguese icon is at loggerheads with his higher-ups, having even attempted to block the move for his former Real Madrid teammate.
As confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, Ronaldo won’t feature in Al-Nassr’s upcoming match against Al-Riyadh, despite being fully fit. He joins a list of 11 other footballers who have gone on strike in the past. But this isn’t the first time he’s pulled stunts like this: history has repeated itself this week with similar protests taking place at both Manchester United and Juventus.
Whether the 40-year-old's role as a football ambassador in Saudi Arabia will help him smooth things over remains to be seen. In the meantime, it’s worth taking a look at how his previous rebellions played out at his former clubs.
Cristiano Ronaldo Related
The Reason Why Fuming Cristiano Ronaldo is Now 'Refusing' to Play For Al-Nassr
The reason why Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly refusing to play for Al-Nassr has now emerged.
Ronaldo's Strike at Old Trafford in October 2022
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo with manager Erik ten Hag
Premier League - Manchester United v Liverpool - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - August 22, 2022 Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo with manager Erik ten Hag before coming on as a substitute REUTERS/Phil Noble
As highlighted by Planet Football, Ronaldo and Erik ten Hag had a strained relationship from day dot. Things finally hit breaking point between the pair when Ronaldo refused to come on as a late substitute against Tottenham in the Premier League, as the five-time Ballon d'Or winner felt like he had been disrespected by his manager and stormed down the tunnel.
Ronaldo has since said that he regrets what he did, despite being unhappy with Ten Hag at the time. “I will be honest with you, it’s something that I regret, to leave the stadium,” Ronaldo said during his second - far less infamous - interview with Piers Morgan.
“It’s difficult to tell you 100 per cent but let’s say I regret it, but in the same way I felt provoked by the coach. Not allowed for me, a coach to put me in three minutes in a game. I'm sorry, but I'm not that type of player."
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag on the touchline
Ronaldo only featured in two more league matches for the club before leaving by mutual consent in November 2022. While Old Trafford’s vocal residents sided with Ten Hag at the time, after Ronaldo openly claimed the Dutchman lacked the respect to lead the Red Devils into a new era, it’s fair to say the Portuguese forward had a point - given the number of fallouts he experienced before ultimately receiving his marching orders.
CR7 Also Refused To Play For Juventus in August 2021
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With Ronaldo pushing for the exit door, he requested not to play in Juventus’ first home game of the 2021/22 campaign against Empoli. The Italian giants ended up losing the game 1-0 and then CR7 got his wish and completed his return to Man United just a few days later. “[Ronaldo] gave his contribution, he made himself available, now he leaves and life goes on,” former boss Massimiliano Allegri said.
“Yesterday, Cristiano told me that he no longer has any intention to play for Juventus. For this reason, he will not be called up for tomorrow’s game. He is to be thanked for what he has done, also as an example amongst the youngsters. But as I said, we must go on.”
On this occasion, Ronaldo didn't throw his toys out of the pram like at Old Trafford only a year on, and can look back on his time at Juventus with fond memories. Despite not winning the Champions League, which was the Turin-based club's ultimate aim at the time, he won five trophies during his spell in Italy and scored 101 goals in 134 games.