Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly gone on strike at Al Nassr, refusing to play for the Saudi Pro League club amid growing dissatisfaction with the team’s management and financial backing.
According to Sky Sports on Monday, the dramatic development unfolded as Al Nassr faced Al Riyadh, with Ronaldo absent from both the starting lineup and the substitutes’ bench.
The decision to exclude the 40-year-old star, who has been one of the league’s biggest draws since joining in 2023, is being seen as a direct protest against the club’s leadership.
Ronaldo’s frustration is believed to be tied to what he sees as unequal support from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which holds majority stakes in four of the league’s biggest clubs: Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad.
Ronaldo reportedly feels that Al Nassr is being shortchanged in terms of financial investment compared to its rivals.
“While clubs like Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad have been actively strengthening their squads with high-profile signings, Al Nassr’s activity in the transfer window has been limited.
“The club’s only major acquisition has been an 18-year-old Iraqi midfielder, a move Ronaldo reportedly considers insufficient for a team that aims to compete for the title.
“The striker is also said to be unhappy with how the club is being run, adding to a sense of frustration as Al Nassr continues to chase its first Saudi Pro League title since Ronaldo’s arrival,” Sky Sports added.
PUNCH Online had reported that reports emerged that Ronaldo would not be featuring in today’s league match despite being fully fit.
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