Ronaldo on strike at Al Nassr, ‘to miss’ second game after Al Riyadh absence | OneFootball

Sunderland Echo reports that Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, has refused to play for Al Nassr in protest at his team’s financial backing relative to other Saudi clubs. He was missing as Al Nassr beat Al Riyadh 1-0 on Monday.

Ronaldo was incensed that Haydeer Abdulkareem, 21, was the club’s only mid-season signing, despite manager Jorge Jesus calling for reinforcements.

By contrast, Al Hilal spent £26m apiece on Kader Meite and Saimon Bouabre, also prising Pablo Mari from Fiorentina, and completed a free move for former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

League guidance says clubs operate independently under the same rules, with recruitment and spending decided by each within a framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. It also says no player, regardless of stature, could influence top-level decisions.

Sky Sports reported that Saudi football officials are losing patience as Ronaldo considers extending his strike by missing a second game today, Friday 6 February, despite being fully fit and training with team-mates.

Officials hope he has made his point and want him back on the pitch, with Al Nassr able to go top of the Saudi Pro League on Friday. Ronaldo joined on a two-year deal in 2022 after leaving Manchester United following a television interview in which he said he felt betrayed and did not respect then manager Erik ten Hag.

Source: Sunderland Echo