The Portuguese press claims that Cristiano Ronaldo is considering skipping the next match for Al Nassr. At 40 years old, the Portuguese forward wants to express his dissatisfaction with the management of the Saudi club.
After Karim Benzema at Al Ittihad, another star of the Saudi Pro League might take action to protest his situation. According to the Portuguese daily A Bola, Cristiano Ronaldo has decided to sit out the upcoming match for his team. This absence wouldn’t be due to a physical precaution, but rather a desire to protest. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is reportedly deeply frustrated and intends to make it known.
Currently sitting second in the league, Al Nassr is set to face Al Riyad this Monday at 16:15 (French time) for the 20th matchday of the Saudi Pro League. But CR7’s presence remains uncertain. Again according to A Bola, reports suggesting a simple physical management are unfounded. The real reason for this possible absence relates to the club’s management by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which also oversees several other teams in the league.
Cristiano Ronaldo believes that Al Nassr is not treated equally compared to some of its rivals. He particularly criticizes the lack of investments during the winter transfer window, while direct competitors — like Al Hilal, which is close to signing Karim Benzema — have significantly strengthened. The club’s internal organization is also a source of tension, especially since the powers of sporting director Simão Coutinho and CEO José Semedo were curtailed a few weeks ago.
In mid-January, Al Nassr’s Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, also criticized the PIF’s differentiated management, stating that his club lacks the “political power of Al Hilal.” These statements sparked strong reactions within Saudi football.
