Drama in the Saudi Pro League has escalated with Cristiano Ronaldo seemingly now open to leaving Al-Nassr. The Portuguese icon has spent the last three years in the Middle East but is currently unhappy with the club's investment.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr from Manchester United in December 2022, leading the way for many footballing superstars to swap Europe for Saudi Arabia. He's since scored 111 goals in 127 games for his current team, while winning the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.
One of the big names to join him in that part of the world is former Real Madrid teammate and fellow Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema. The Frenchman joined Al-Ittihad initially but has since moved to Al-Hilal. This appears to have angered Ronaldo.
"Betrayed" Ronaldo Could Now Quite Saudi Pro League
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo is understood to be unhappy with Al-Nassr as he's ‘dissatisfied with the management of the team’. Specifically, he feels as though the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) are not investing enough in his team.
Benzema's recent move to rivals Al-Hilal is an example of this. The 38-year-old's move follows the purchase of several high-profile players, including Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez and AC Milan left-back Theo Hernandez, and 18-year-old French striker Kader Meite.
Ronaldo is so upset, he's since refused to play for Al-Nassr, even missing the 1-0 win against Al-Riyadh on Monday. The situation has now escalated to the point where the 41-year-old may quit playing for his team completely.
As per CBS Sport, Ronaldo has warned senior figures in the Saudi Pro League that he is prepared to leave the country over his dissatisfaction with recent transfer business in the competition. The report adds that, according to a source, he feels "betrayed" by the whole situation.
The same source suggested it will 'require intervention by senior figures' within sovereign wealth fund PIF to offer Ronaldo assurances over the future of his club and the Pro League.
Having yet to win the Saudi Pro League since committing to the competition in late 2022, Ronaldo is likely frustrated that his chances in 2026 have been diminished by Benzema's recent move. After all, the Frenchman has moved to league leaders Al-Hilal, scoring a debut hat trick against Al-Akhdoud, while also adding an assist.
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Ronaldo Tipped to Make Turkey Move With Release Clause Revealed
Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo after playing Al Nassr
While Ronaldo has returned to training, any hopes that he could be swiftly brought back into the fold have potentially been dashed as his dissatisfaction grows. Ronaldo's contract at Al-Nassr expires in 2027, but it appears as though he could depart sooner.
The same report notes that his deal includes a $59 million (£43 million) release clause. It's said that an exit could allow him to return to his former club Sporting, while clubs in Turkey might also offer him a chance to extend his career in Europe. There has been a notable trend for business between the Pro League and Super Lig of late. N'Golo Kante, for example, became a Fenerbahce player earlier this week.
Al-Nassr play on Friday against Al-Ittihad, but it remains unclear if Ronaldo will be involved, with some believing he may look to make his point even more visibly to PIF by sitting out more matches.