Cristiano Ronaldo left out of Al-Nassr squad again for Al-Ittihad amid Saudi Pro League tension | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo was omitted from Al-Nassr's squad for Friday night's meeting with Al-Ittihad, the latest flashpoint in his stand-off with the Saudi Pro League.

Al-Nassr's line-up instead featured Marcelo Brozovic, Kingsley Coman, Sadio Mane and Joao Felix in attack. The Saudi Pro League said in a statement that clubs act independently within a uniform financial framework and that no individual decides beyond their own team, while noting Ronaldo's engagement at Al-Nassr. It cited recent transfers and a tight title race, with only a few points between the top four, as evidence of competitiveness and a focus on the pitch.

Ronaldo's relationship with league officials appears severely strained. He has reportedly threatened to quit after the Public Investment Fund facilitated Karim Benzema's move from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr's direct title rivals this season.

He is yet to win the Saudi Pro League since arriving in 2023 and is said to feel PIF has favoured other clubs in the title race. Where this leaves him after the latest omission remains unclear.

Even so, he has trained in recent days despite the fallout. The Euro 2016 winner is said to have considered a summer exit after feeling betrayed.

Ronaldo is pursuing 1,000 career goals, but this dispute is costing him time in that chase. His latest strike came on Friday 30 January, opening a 3-0 win over Al-Kholood and lifting his tally to 961.

Source: Goal.com