Cristiano Ronaldo is alleged to have refused to play for Al-Nassr during their 1-0 win against Al-Riyadh on Monday in protest of the Saudi Pro League’s transfer business
Ronaldo was missing from his team’s Saudi Pro League game win over Al Riyadh on Monday – and Sky Sports News has been told the star is unhappy about the running of the club.
The 40-year-old believes Al Nassr are not receiving the same financial support as the three other clubs owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF – Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad.
Ronaldo, 40, has reportedly been left furious by the fact that Karim Benzema, his ex-Real Madrid team-mate, has been allowed to join Al-Nassr’s title rivals.
On transfer deadline day, league leaders Al-Hilal – who are one point clear of Ronaldo’s team – announced that they’d signed Benzema from reigning champions Al-Ittihad on a lucrative 18-month deal, while the only addition to the Al Nassr squad in the January window has been a young Iraqi midfielder Hayder Abdulkareem.
Al Hilal lead Al Nassr by one point at the top of the Saudi Pro League and Ronaldo wanted his club to be more ambitious during the window because he wants to win the Saudi title for the first time.
READ ALSO:Ademola Lookman Joins Atletico Madrid From Atalanta
Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol discusses why Cristiano Ronaldo has appeared to go on strike at Al Nassr, with the Portuguese forward not in the matchday squad to face Al Riyadh on Monday.
Benzema’s move to Al Hilal is not being funded by the league or PIF but by a private billionaire Saudi investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. There is nothing stopping Al Nassr from signing more players with the backing of private investors
Ronaldo is being urged by senior Saudi Arabian officials to end his strike and start playing again for the club.
They are surprised that he is unhappy – despite earning a reported £500,000 a day – and want him to play against Al Ittihad on Friday.
He has 18 months left on his contract but it does have a £43m (€50m) summer release clause – even though he will turn 41 on Thursday.
From a Saudi perspective, Ronaldo retains their full support and nothing has changed.
He has been involved in the club at every level with his own team and they have been across all the transfers and investment opportunities, which makes it surprising that he is so unhappy.
The SPL believe their league is a fair fight and there is still all to play for this season. The funding provided by the league is clear and fair across all PIF clubs.
If Al Nassr were not active in January, it was because they have already spent £100m this season.
The financial regulations and league funding through the Player Acquisition Center of Excellence are designed to maintain integrity, make sure the league and clubs are sustainable and competitive.
All eyes are now on Ronaldo to see whether he plays against Al Ittihad on Friday.