Saudi football in limbo as Cristiano Ronaldo strike goes on: detailing the Portugal captain’s grievances | OneFootball

Ronaldo's strike is dominating headlines in Saudi Arabia (Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo did not train with Al Nassr on Tuesday, following his decision not to play in the Saudi Arabian team’s clash at Al Riyadh on Monday evening.

The Portugal captain is widely reported to be on strike, albeit Ronaldo has not made any public statements. As the transfer window closed on the evening of the match, further details are emerging explaining the absence of the Saudi Pro League’s most famous and marketable figure.

Various Portuguese sources have offered insight into the Seleção man’s thinking. One significant cause of frustration agreed by all media outlets is the distribution of finances across the league’s biggest teams through the Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The PIF, as it is commonly referred to, is the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia and has provided the budgets for the major clubs.

The unusual arrangement has typically seen each of the country’s four major clubs – Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli – allocated varying degrees of financial clout. Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction with the system has been growing for a while according to Maisfutebol, increased recently after the PIC sold Al Hilal’s operations to wealthy investor Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud.

Al Waleed, who is one of the richest men in the world and a fan of Al Hilal, has ramped up the spending at the club since being granted more involvement. On deadline day, Al Hilal completed the signing of legendary French striker Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad. Given Al Nassr’s inability to recruit during the January window to close the 1-point gap to Al Hilal at the summit, the situation has angered Ronaldo greatly.

Al Hilal are considered the biggest club in Saudi Arabia and their financial muscle in recent years has been greater than that of Al Nassr and other rivals. Now under the influence of Al Waleed, it is felt by many that Al Hilal are being advantaged in their bid to beat Al Nassr to this season’s league title. While Al Hilal have continued to spend, Al Nassr have seen spending cut amid being put up for sale by the PIF.

Ronaldo pulled out of the trip to Al Riyadh, which Jorge Jesus’ side won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Sadio Mane. The big question hanging over the Pro League is whether the Portuguese will make himself available for Friday’s home match against fellow powerhouses Al-Ittihad, leading to a nervous wait for all involved with promoting the development of football in the country.

Al Nassr fans appear to back Ronaldo’s stance:

Al Nassr boss Jorge Jesus, who previously coached Al Hilal to a league title in 2024, recently stated that his former club benefits from greater leverage behind the scenes. “Al Nassr doesn’t have the political influence that Al Hilal has,” he claimed. Jesus is also through to be displeased at the transfer window and opted against speaking to the press after Monday’s match.

According to Maisfutebol, Ronaldo’s misgivings are also internal, with conflict inside the Al Nassr set-up. His close friends from his academy days at Sporting, Simão Coutinho (sporting director) and José Semedo (CEO) were both installed at the club at Ronaldo’s request, but according to the publication the pair have been sidelined in terms of meaningful influence.

Ronaldo has made his feelings clear, with his absence doing little to help the image of competition in the country. Some reports have already speculated over a summer move to the United States and MLS. But as Ronaldo prepares to celebrate his 41st birthday, Saudi Arabia waits with bated breath for his return to the field in the Middle East.

By Sean Gillen