Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from Al-Nassr's recent Saudi Pro League match against Al-Riyadh has sparked speculation that the football icon has gone "on strike". Reports suggest that Ronaldo's discontent stems from his dissatisfaction with the club's management, specifically by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The primary source of Ronaldo's frustration appears to be the perceived unequal distribution of investment among PIF-owned clubs. Al-Nassr is one of four Saudi Pro League clubs owned by PIF, the others being Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad. Ronaldo believes that Al-Hilal, in particular, has received preferential treatment in the transfer market, allowing them to aggressively bolster their squad with high-profile signings. For instance, Al-Hilal has reportedly reached a €30 million deal to sign 18-year-old French striker Kader Meite and is also pursuing Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad. In contrast, Al-Nassr's only major signing in the recent transfer window was 21-year-old Haydeer Abdulkareem.
According to A Bola, Ronaldo is unhappy with PIF's management of Al-Nassr compared to its rivals. The lack of investment has led Ronaldo to believe that Al-Nassr is being sidelined within the PIF's investment strategy. This perceived lack of ambition to strengthen the squad and compete for titles has reportedly led to Ronaldo's refusal to play. Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Ronaldo's absence was not due to any physical issue, workload, or fitness management, further fueling the notion of a calculated protest.
Beyond the perceived preferential treatment towards other clubs, there are reports that the recent freezing of powers for CEO José Semedo and Sporting Director Simão Coutinho, two of Ronaldo's key allies, has left him feeling isolated. Some reports also suggest that Ronaldo is against Karim Benzema's move to Al-Hilal, arguing it would damage fair competition.
Al-Nassr did manage to secure a 1-0 victory against Al-Riyadh in Ronaldo's absence, with Sadio Mane scoring the decisive goal. However, Ronaldo's absence is a significant blow to the team, especially with a crucial match against Al-Ittihad looming. As his 41st birthday approaches on February 5th, Ronaldo remains a key player for Al-Nassr, and his absence is a statistical disaster for the team.
The situation remains fluid, and it is unclear how the PIF will respond to Ronaldo's concerns. If his grievances are not addressed, the most famous signing in Saudi Pro League history could be seeking an early exit. Some reports suggest that this situation could potentially lead to European clubs showing interest in signing him.