Cristiano Ronaldo, the prominent star of Al Nassr, has decided to continue his boycott by skipping a second consecutive league match. This decision stems from his dissatisfaction with the lack of clear assurances from the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) regarding necessary reforms in the management of the Saudi Pro League club. According to sources who spoke to ESPN, if there are no guarantees for change in the upcoming weeks, Ronaldo is likely to seek a transfer in June.
The Portuguese forward notably refused to participate in Monday's match against Al Riyadh, which ended in a 1-0 victory for his team. His protest is grounded in a belief that the PIF has not invested sufficiently in Al Nassr, thus giving an upper hand to their rivals, Al Hilal.
In a further demonstration of his concerns, Ronaldo attempted to halt the transfer of French superstar Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal, viewing this move as unjust and indicative of the PIF's intentions to favor Al Hilal in the title race.
Although Ronaldo has been training with Al Nassr this week, he has made it clear that his participation in future matches will depend on the swift restoration of authority within the club's management. He also wants to ensure that incidents like the recent transfer window interference do not recur.
Al Nassr is set to face Al Ittihad on Friday. Recently, significant turmoil has affected the club's leadership, particularly with the suspension of sporting director Simão Coutinho and CEO José Semedo, both of whom are Portuguese. This upheaval has frustrated Ronaldo and has impeded the arrival of high-profile players under the guidance of his fellow countryman, head coach Jorge Jesus. Additionally, the club has seen a dramatic reduction in spending.
On the other hand, Al Hilal has received substantial financial support from Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, a billionaire businessman and one of the club's key benefactors, which has enabled them to strengthen their squad considerably.
Sources reported that all of Al Hilal’s signings this transfer window, including that of Benzema, were financed by Prince Al Waleed, who holds a 25% ownership stake in the club. Meanwhile, 75% is owned by the PIF.
Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in 2022, has yet to secure a major title with the team and is feeling quite frustrated. Even though he has received offers from clubs in Europe and the United States to leave, he is hesitant to take them, fearing it could disrupt his preparations for the World Cup.
Having signed a contract extension last summer that ties him to Al Nassr until June 2027, with a release clause set at €50 million (approximately $59 million), Ronaldo's departure would be a significant loss for the Saudi Pro League, which values him as its most prominent ambassador.
Sources indicate that both Al Nassr and PIF have assured Ronaldo of substantial investments planned for the summer, with his national teammate Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United being considered among potential recruits alongside other big names.
In response to the ongoing situation, Al Hilal's CEO Esteve Calzada expressed confusion over Al Nassr and Ronaldo's grievances, stating, "You should ask them" when questioned about Ronaldo's discontent. He emphasized that Al Hilal is focusing on its own progress and pointed out that Al Nassr had a productive summer transfer window, acquiring players like João Félix and Kingsley Coman.
Calzada remarked on the intense rivalry and passion within Saudi football, noting how the excitement surrounding Benzema's signing has captivated fans. Al Hilal currently leads the Saudi Pro League, just one point ahead of Al Nassr.
Benzema’s presence is expected to significantly uplift Al Hilal, who recently celebrated winning the Saudi Pro League and the King's Cup last season. Calzada explained, "We were looking for a striker, and when the unique opportunity to sign a Ballon d'Or winner arose, we couldn’t pass it up. With his incredible talent and familiarity with our league, everything fell into place perfectly. We’re thrilled about this addition."
He added that Al Hilal is positioned as not only the most popular club in Saudi Arabia but also as a dominant force throughout Asia, ready to compete for every title this season. Beyond his contributions on the pitch, Calzada noted that Benzema’s signing has already yielded positive results in commercial ventures and media engagements, showcasing the multifaceted impact of such a sporting decision.
