The future of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr has been thrown into doubt after the Saudi Pro League publicly stressed that no player, regardless of stature, can influence decisions beyond their own club.
The 41-year-old Portugal striker was left out of Al-Nassr’s squad for Monday’s league match against Al-Riyadh, prompting reports in Portugal that he had refused to play amid growing frustration with how the club is being run.
Ronaldo later uploaded a picture of himself in training, but it’s unclear whether he’ll play against Al-Ittihad on Friday.
According to the BBC, Ronaldo’s discontent stemmed mostly from Karim Benzema’s move from Al-Ittihad to league leaders Al-Hilal earlier this week.
Benzema, Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate, made an immediate impression on his debut, scoring a hat-trick in a 6-0 victory over Al-Okhdood.
Both Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has overseen the Saudi Pro League’s rapid growth and global recognition.
However, league authorities were eager to refute any suggestion that high-profile individuals may influence recruitment between clubs.
In a statement issued to BBC Sport, a Saudi Pro League spokesperson said, “The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules.
“Clubs have their own boards, their own executives, and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending, and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance.”
The spokesperson acknowledged Ronaldo’s importance since his arrival in 2022, adding, “Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al-Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win.
“But no individual, however significant, determines decisions beyond their own club.”
