Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly refused to play for Al-Nassr, furious at the club’s current situation and what he sees as unfair treatment within Saudi football’s power structure.
According to reports, the Portuguese superstar missed Al-Nassr’s match against Al-Riyadh today not because of injury, as initially suggested, but due to growing frustration with the club’s ownership and lack of ambition in the transfer market.
Portuguese sports newspaper A Bola reports that Ronaldo is unhappy with the club’s owners, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), accusing them of favouring rival Saudi Pro League clubs, particularly Al-Hilal, during the transfer window.
The report claims Ronaldo has complained internally that manager Jorge Jesus did not receive the reinforcements he requested. Al-Nassr’s only signing was 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem, while title rivals Al-Hilal strengthened heavily.
Last month, Jesus openly claimed Al-Nassr “doesn’t have the political power of Al-Hilal”, a remark that sparked controversy and led Al-Hilal to call for his suspension.
Tensions have been further fuelled by internal changes at Al-Nassr. Two close friends of Ronaldo – Simão Coutinho, the club’s sporting director, and José Semedo, its CEO – reportedly saw their influence frozen earlier this month following a board decision.
PIF holds a 75% controlling stake in four Saudi Pro League clubs: Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, and has been central to the league’s recent influx of global stars.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in December 2022, paving the way for high-profile arrivals such as Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez and Kalidou Koulibaly. Since then, he has scored 117 goals in 133 games, winning the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.
