FIFA lift Al-Nassr's transfer ban in timely boost to Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi Pro League title charge | OneFootball

FIFA have lifted Al-Nassr’s registration ban, handing Cristiano Ronaldo a timely boost in his Saudi Pro League title pursuit.

On 19 December FIFA updated their prohibited clubs list and Al-Nassr were added, but the embargo was removed within two days. Al Riyadhiya reports the sanction related to an unpaid instalment in the Aymeric Laporte transfer.

The instalment, due on 31 August to Manchester City, was said to be worth about nine million euros. No official reason has been disclosed.

Al-Nassr were similarly punished in July 2023 over Ahmed Musa’s 2018 move from Leicester, when bonuses of about £390,000 were overdue. That case ended after nearly two million euros were paid.

Domestic rivals Al-Riyadh, Al-Shabab and Al-Wehda remain on FIFA’s banned list, with measures covering three windows.

With January approaching as 2026 nears, Al-Nassr can now recruit, a relief for Ronaldo. Since lifting the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023, trophies have proved elusive at club level.

Even so, they lead the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League with a perfect record through nine matches, four points clear of Al-Hilal. They face Al-Zawraa in the AFC Cup on Wednesday, then Al-Akhdoud on 27 December.

Source: Goal.com