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Cristiano Ronaldo missing at Al Nassr as transfer frustration rumours swirl

Portuguese star absent from league match amid claims he is unhappy with club’s transfer backing Top Summary What happened: Cristiano Ronaldo was missing from Al...

Feb 3
3 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo missing at Al Nassr as transfer frustration rumours swirl

Portuguese star absent from league match amid claims he is unhappy with club’s transfer backing

Top Summary

  • What happened: Cristiano Ronaldo was missing from Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League win over Al Riyadh.

  • Why it matters now: Reports suggest Ronaldo is deeply unhappy with Al Nassr’s transfer activity and club management.

  • What changes for people: Questions are mounting over Ronaldo’s commitment and Al Nassr’s competitiveness.

  • Who is affected: Al Nassr, Saudi Pro League officials, fans, and rival PIF-backed clubs.

What happened:

Cristiano Ronaldo did not feature in Saudi Pro League leaders Al Nassr’s recent victory over Al Riyadh, fuelling speculation that the star forward has effectively gone on strike.

According to Sky Sports News, Ronaldo was neither injured nor rested — he was left out entirely, with sources claiming dissatisfaction over how the club is being run.

Why it matters now:

Ronaldo is the highest-profile player in Saudi football and a central figure in the league’s global branding. Any visible unrest raises concerns about:

  • Squad morale

  • Competitive balance within the league

  • Saudi Arabia’s long-term football project

With the season entering a crucial phase, player discontent at this level carries league-wide implications.

What changes for people:

  • Fans are left uncertain about Ronaldo’s immediate availability

  • Al Nassr’s title ambitions appear under pressure

  • Renewed scrutiny on PIF’s role in transfer decisions

Ronaldo reportedly believes Al Nassr have not been backed to the same extent as rival clubs.

Who is affected:

  • Al Nassr players and supporters

  • Rival clubs Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad

  • The Public Investment Fund (PIF)

  • Saudi Pro League organisers and broadcasters

Preferential treatment claims

Al Nassr is one of four clubs controlled by the PIF. However, Ronaldo is said to believe that Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad are receiving greater financial backing, particularly in the transfer market.

This window:

  • Al Hilal signed Pablo Mari

  • The club has also been linked with a £26 million move for Kader Meite

  • Karim Benzema completed a high-profile switch after leaving Al Ittihad

Ronaldo’s frustration point

According to Sky Sports’ chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol, Ronaldo earns around £500,000 per day but feels let down by Al Nassr’s lack of squad strengthening.

Despite scoring freely since arriving in Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr have not won the league title, a key factor in his dissatisfaction.

He reportedly expected the club to:

  • Invest heavily this transfer window

  • Bring in top-level reinforcements

  • Match the ambition shown by rival PIF-backed clubs

That expectation, sources say, has not been met.

Wider Saudi Pro League context

Elsewhere in the league:

  • Ivan Toney has rejected moves to Juventus and Premier League clubs

  • Toney has committed his future to Al Ahli

  • He is targeting a return to the England setup ahead of the World Cup

The contrast highlights differing player experiences within the same league structure.

Bottom line

Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence has exposed internal tensions at Al Nassr and reignited debate over uneven investment among Saudi clubs. Whether this is a short-term protest or a sign of deeper instability could shape both Al Nassr’s season and the Saudi Pro League’s global image.