Cristiano Ronaldo has opted out of playing for Al-Nassr ahead of their upcoming match in Saudi Arabia, stemming from frustrations with the management of the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Contract Details and Current Form
The 40-year-old forward, who holds the record as the highest-paid footballer with a daily wage of £488,000, leads Al-Nassr as captain. He has netted 18 goals in 22 appearances across all competitions this season. The team faces local rivals Al-Riyadh on Monday, but Ronaldo’s absence now looms large.
Sources close to the club indicate that Ronaldo feels Al-Nassr receives unequal treatment in financial allocations compared to other PIF-backed teams. The PIF maintains a 75 percent stake in four prominent Saudi Pro League clubs: Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Nassr. This fund has fueled the league’s recruitment of global stars through substantial contracts.
Historical Context and Recent Transfers
Following Ronaldo’s high-profile transfer to Al-Nassr in 2023, players like Karim Benzema, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Riyad Mahrez joined the league on lucrative deals with Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli, respectively. Despite ongoing squad enhancements across these clubs, Ronaldo believes Al-Nassr lags behind in support.
Under manager Jorge Jesus, Al-Nassr has yet to secure a domestic title. In the January transfer window, the club added only 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem. In contrast, Al-Hilal, led by Simone Inzaghi, acquired Spanish defender Pablo Mari for £1.7 million and Rennes striker Kader Meite for £26 million. Reports also suggest Al-Hilal nears a £26 million deal for Neom’s Saimon Bouabre.
Manager’s Outburst and League Response
Last month, Jesus highlighted the financial disparities, stating that Al-Nassr lacks the ‘political power’ of Al-Hilal—a club he once coached. His comments drew a strong reaction, with Al-Hilal urging the Saudi Pro League to suspend Jesus for six months to a year.
Ronaldo’s Future Ambitions
In December, during an awards event in Dubai, Ronaldo expressed his drive to continue his career. Accompanied by his wife Georgina Rodriguez, he remarked, ‘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. I will reach the number (1000 goals) for sure, if no injuries.’
Ronaldo recently hit his 961st career goal in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 victory over Al-Kholood last Friday, underscoring his ongoing prowess despite the off-field tensions.
