Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Al-Nassr training but warned by Saudi Pro League after PIF row | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Al-Nassr training but has been warned in league officials after going on strike over the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s running of the club.

Ronaldo was absent from the club’s Saudi Pro League match against Al-Riyadh on Monday despite not being injured or suspended, abandoning his teammates in the midst of a tense title race at the top of the table.

His reasoning for this latest tantrum relates to Al-Nassr’s transfer activity in the winter window, with the Portugal captain taking issue with supposed preferential treatment towards his club’s PIF-owned rivals.

Al-Nassr are one of four Saudi Pro League clubs owned by the Saudi state, joined by Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad in the PIF’s portfolio. Al-Hilal currently top the league by one point, with Al-Nassr in second.

Al-Hilal, who won the league title in Ronaldo’s first full season in Saudi Arabia, have enjoyed a productive transfer window and om deadline day added the blockbuster signing of Al-Ittihad’s Karim Benzema to their list of January recruits, which includes former Arsenal defender Pablo Mari and Rennes’ teenage star Mohamed Kader Meite, who cost them £26m.

Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, meanwhile, have only signed 21-year-old Iraqi centre-back Hayer Abdulkareem, a lack of activity which has seemingly drawn the ire of the 40-year-old talisman.

This perceived lack of investment by the ownership compared to Al-Nassr’s rivals led to Ronaldo ditching the team for their last outing.

It now appears work has been made towards a resolution with the club after posting a picture of himself in training, accompanied by two hearts in the colours of Al-Nassr: yellow and blue.

However, it’s understood this does not mean he will be in the matchday squad for Friday’s crucial clash with Al-Ittihad, with Al-Nassr knowing a win will take them to the top of the table.

In fact, Saudi Pro League officials have issued a statement warning Ronaldo that “no individual - however significant - determines decisions beyond their own club”.

“The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules,” a league spokesperson said.

“Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. That framework applies equally across the league.

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Cristiano Ronaldo has been warned that ‘no individual - however significant - determines decisions beyond their own club’ (Reuters)

“Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al-Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. But no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club.

“Recent transfer activity demonstrates that independence clearly. One club strengthened in a particular way. Another chose a different approach. Those were club decisions, taken within approved financial parameters.

“The competitiveness of the league speaks for itself. With only a few points separating the top four, the title race is very much alive. That level of balance reflects a system that is working as intended.

“The focus remains on football – on the pitch, where it belongs – and on maintaining a credible, competitive competition for players and fans.”

Ronaldo signed a two-year contract extension with Al-Nassr last June, reportedly worth £480,000 per day as the striker remained the poster-boy of the Saudi football project.

He remains intent on playing football as he chases down the elusive 1,000-goal barrier, which he is 39 strikes away from hitting - but recently hinted that his heart isn’t set on finishing his career in Saudi Arabia.

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Ronaldo is 39 goals away from breaking the 1,000-goal barrier (PA Wire)

“My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn't matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe,” Ronaldo said, speaking at an awards ceremony in Dubai in December.

“I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going. I will reach the number (1000 goals) for sure, if no injuries.”

Ronaldo is also set to play at the World Cup this year with Portugal after Fifa granted him a controversial reprieve relating following his red card against Ireland.

The striker looked set to miss two of the Portugal’s three group games after being sent off for violent conduct in Dublin, which would usually incur a three-match ban.

However, Fifa decided to suspend the final two matches of his suspension for good behaviour, as long as Ronaldo doesn’t commit “another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probation period”.

Al-Nassr will be more concerned with getting Ronaldo back in action as soon as possible, with the Portuguese forward boasting 17 goals in 18 league games this term.