Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged into serious doubt after the Portuguese superstar was omitted from the squad for Monday’s Saudi Pro League clash against Al-Riyadh, a match the Riyadh club won 1–0.
Portuguese outlet, A Bola reported that the 40-year-old refused to play, having grown increasingly dissatisfied with how the club is being run under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Sources confirmed Ronaldo was neither injured nor dropped by the technical staff, but instead made himself unavailable in protest over what he perceives as Al-Nassr’s lack of ambition in the transfer market compared to rival PIF-backed clubs.
Ronaldo Sat Out in Protest Over Transfer Policy
According to ESPN sources, Ronaldo was unhappy with PIF’s limited transfer activity at Al-Nassr, especially when compared to the aggressive recruitment carried out by Al-Hilal.
“Ronaldo “was not injured or out of favor with manager Jorge Jesus. Instead, the 40-year-old has made himself unavailable for the match due to personal disappointment with PIF, effectively deciding to go on strike for at least Monday’s match.”
Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mané scored the only goal of the game to move Al-Nassr within one point of league leaders Al-Hilal, but the victory was overshadowed by Ronaldo’s absence.
Benzema to Al-Hilal: The Breaking Point?
BBC Sport has been told that Al-Hilal’s pursuit and eventual signing of Karim Benzema is the principal trigger behind Ronaldo’s growing frustration.
The former France striker and Ronaldo’s long-time Real Madrid team-mate completed a move to Al-Hilal from Al-Ittihad late on Monday after his contract was terminated.
The 38-year-old had been training alone after falling out with Al-Ittihad’s hierarchy over a proposed contract extension.
Benzema now joins an Al-Hilal squad already stacked with elite names.
Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr Journey: Goals Galore, Trophies Scarce
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in December 2022 after leaving Manchester United mid-season, becoming the highest-paid player in football history with an annual salary of £177 million.
His individual numbers have been exceptional:
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14 goals in the 2022–23 season (mid-season arrival)
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Top scorer in the last two Saudi Pro League campaigns with 35 and 25 goals
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91 goals in 95 Saudi Pro League matches since 2023
After winning the Best Middle East Player award at the Globe Soccer Awards in December, Ronaldo said:
“You know what my goal is.”
“I want to win trophies and I want to reach that number [1,000 goals] that you all know.”
“I will reach the number for sure, if no injuries.”
He scored his 17th goal of the season against Al-Kholood on Friday, taking his career tally to 961 goals, just 39 short of the landmark 1,000.
Yet silverware has been elusive.
Al-Nassr’s Near Misses and Growing Discontent
Despite Ronaldo’s prolific output, Al-Nassr have fallen short on the biggest stages:
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League runners-up in his first two seasons
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Third place last season, finishing 13 points behind Al-Ittihad
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King’s Cup final defeat to Al-Hilal (2023–24, penalties)
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Asian Champions League Elite semi-final exit to Kawasaki Frontale
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Qualification only for Asian Champions League Two this season
Ronaldo’s only trophy with the club remains the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup.
Adding to the frustration, he has watched:
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Karim Benzema lift league titles
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Ruben Neves, his Portugal team-mate, enjoy major success with Al-Hilal
Are Al-Nassr Falling Behind the ‘Big Four’?
Al-Nassr are part of Saudi Arabia’s “Big Four” alongside Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad, all controlled by PIF since 2023.
While Saudi clubs spent around £700 million in the 2023 summer window, including Neymar’s £77.6m move to Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr’s recent spending has lagged behind rivals.
Key signings across the league include:
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Al-Hilal: Neymar, Aleksandar Mitrović, Ruben Neves, Karim Benzema
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Al-Ahli: Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino
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Al-Ittihad: N’Golo Kanté, Fabinho, Jota
Al-Nassr added Aymeric Laporte, Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović, and later João Félix (£43.7m) and Kingsley Coman, but have been quiet in recent windows.
This January, they signed only Iraq U-23 midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem, who is yet to debut.
Meanwhile, Al-Hilal strengthened further with:
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Pablo Marí
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Mohamed Kader Meïté (18)
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Saudi internationals Murad Al-Hawsawi and Sultan Mandash
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And now Benzema, their fifth major signing
Jorge Jesus Admits Financial Constraints
Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus had earlier acknowledged the club’s limited room for manoeuvre in the market:
“I spoke about the winter period.”
“We don’t have any openings for foreign players, and the financial situation at Al-Nassr is not good and doesn’t allow it”
“I hope that one or two, maybe three players can join us.”
Those comments now appear to align with Ronaldo’s frustrations.
Is Saudi Arabia’s Era of Endless Spending Slowing?
Beyond football, PIF also backs Newcastle United, LIV Golf, and sponsors major global sports including Formula 1, boxing, WWE, tennis, and horse racing.
Saudi Arabia is set to host:
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2034 FIFA World Cup
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2027 AFC Asian Cup
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2034 Asian Games
However, signs of restraint are emerging. The 2029 Asian Winter Games planned for Neom have been postponed indefinitely, while construction of the ambitious 105-mile Neom city has reportedly been scaled down.
New financial regulations introduced in July 2025 have also pushed Saudi Pro League clubs toward a more sustainable spending model after more than £1.1bn was spent since 2023.
What Next for Ronaldo?
Ronaldo, who turns 41 on Thursday, signed a new two-year contract in June 2025, keeping him at Al-Nassr until at least June 2027.
Yet his decision to sit out Monday’s match reportedly in protest has intensified speculation about whether this relationship is heading for a breaking point.
For now, Al-Nassr remain firmly in the title race, but with Ronaldo’s patience wearing thin and rivals growing stronger, the biggest battle may no longer be on the pitch, but behind the scenes.
