Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from Al Nassr's recent match against Al Riyadh has sparked reports of a potential fallout with the club. The 40-year-old was not included in the squad for Monday's game, which Al Nassr won 1-0.

Sources suggest that Ronaldo is unhappy with the club's management and their approach to the transfer window. Specifically, he feels that Al Nassr has not been given the same level of support and investment as other clubs in the Saudi Pro League, particularly Al Hilal. All four teams, Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad, are owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Ronaldo believes Al Nassr needs more reinforcements to compete for domestic and continental titles. While Al Hilal has been linked with high-profile signings like Karim Benzema and has secured players like Pablo Mari, Al Nassr's only addition has been the young Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem. This disparity in investment has reportedly left Ronaldo frustrated.

Sky Sports News reported that Ronaldo is effectively on strike due to his unhappiness with how Al Nassr is being run. According to their chief correspondent, Kaveh Solhekol, Ronaldo believed the club would invest significantly to strengthen the squad during the transfer window, which has not occurred.

Ronaldo's decision to sit out the Al Riyadh match is seen as a form of protest against the club's perceived lack of ambition and the uneven distribution of resources within the PIF-owned clubs. Some observers believe this action sends a clear message to the Saudi Public Investment Fund, highlighting the need for fairer support across all teams. Others view it as a sign of declining commitment from the Portuguese star.

This situation raises questions about Ronaldo's long-term future with Al Nassr, despite signing a new two-year deal in the summer of 2025. His contract is set to run until June 2027. The incident has ignited debate about the balance of investment in Saudi football and whether favoritism towards certain clubs undermines fair competition.

Al Nassr currently trails Al Hilal by a point in the title race. The team will need to resolve this internal conflict to maintain their momentum and compete for the league title.