Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Al-Nassr faces uncertainty after the Saudi Pro League (SPL) emphasized that no player, regardless of status, can influence decisions beyond their own club.
The 41-year-old Portugal forward was notably absent from Al-Nassr’s squad for Monday’s league match against Al-Riyadh, prompting reports in Portugal that he had refused to play due to growing frustrations with club management. Ronaldo later shared a training photo, but doubts remain over his participation in Friday’s clash with Al-Ittihad.
Reports suggest Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction may stem from Karim Benzema’s recent move from Al-Ittihad to league leaders Al-Hilal, where the former Real Madrid teammate scored a hat-trick on his debut in a 6-0 win over Al-Okhdood. Both Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has driven the Saudi Pro League’s global profile.
A Saudi Pro League spokesperson told BBC Sport:
"The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules. Clubs have their own boards, executives, and football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending, and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance."
The spokesperson also acknowledged Ronaldo’s impact since joining Al-Nassr in 2022:
"Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al-Nassr and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. But no individual, however significant, determines decisions beyond their own club."
Ronaldo, who left Manchester United midway through the 2021-22 season to join Al-Nassr, reportedly became football’s highest-paid player with an annual salary of £177 million. Despite his prolific scoring, his only major trophy with the club remains the Arab Club Champions Cup.
Elijah Adeyemi
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