Cristiano Ronaldo’s increasingly strained relationship with the Saudi Pro League has escalated after the Portuguese forward missed a second consecutive match for Al Nassr, fueling speculation about his long-term future in Saudi Arabia.
The 41-year-old was again absent from Al Nassr’s matchday squad for Friday’s high-profile clash against Al Ittihad, despite returning to training earlier in the week. His omission follows Monday’s win over Al Riyadh, which he also missed, marking the first time Ronaldo has deliberately sat out fixtures for reasons unrelated to injury or technical decisions.
Sources close to the situation indicate that Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence is a form of protest stemming from dissatisfaction with Al Nassr’s limited activity during the January transfer window. Ronaldo reportedly believes that competitive balance within the league has been compromised, particularly due to perceived disparities in squad investment among clubs linked to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Al Nassr, along with Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli, are all majority-owned by the PIF. However, Ronaldo is said to be unhappy that rival clubs- most notably Al Hilal– were able to strengthen significantly during the winter window, including the high-profile arrival of Karim Benzema, while Al Nassr made minimal additions despite being involved in the title race.
The Saudi Pro League addressed the situation publicly ahead of Friday’s match, issuing a firm statement emphasizing that no individual player can influence league-wide or investment decisions. League officials stressed that each club operates independently within a centralized financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance.
“Cristiano has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition,” the statement read. “Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. But no individual- however significant—determines decisions beyond their own club.”
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Despite Ronaldo’s absence, Al Nassr continued their strong form, defeating Al Ittihad 2–0 with goals from Sadio Mané and Angelo Gabriel. The victory lifted them to second place in the standings, just one point behind league leaders Al Hilal. Supporters inside Al-Awwal Park showed solidarity with Ronaldo, holding up yellow placards bearing his name and iconic number seven during the seventh minute of the match.
Behind the scenes, Saudi football officials are believed to be growing increasingly frustrated with the situation, viewing Ronaldo’s protest as damaging to the image of the league and its broader ambitions. While his impact on raising the global profile of the Saudi Pro League since arriving in 2022 has been undeniable, officials have privately reiterated that institutional stability must take precedence over individual influence.
Ronaldo, who still has 18 months remaining on his contract, has scored 17 league goals this season and continues his pursuit of becoming the first player to reach 1,000 professional goals. However, reports suggest his contract includes a £43 million release clause that becomes active this summer, opening the door to a potential exit should tensions remain unresolved.
While Saudi authorities would prefer Ronaldo to remain as one of the league’s most prominent ambassadors, contingency plans are reportedly being explored, with global superstars such as Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes identified as potential future centerpieces.
