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Rabat – Cristiano Ronaldo, the highest-paid athlete in the world, is facing uncertainty at Al Naser, the Saudi Pro League club that pays him more than $240 million a year, but the 41-year-old captain was left out of their recent 1-0 win against Al Riyadh.
His absence came after disagreements over how the club is being managed, and there is no guarantee he will return for the next match against Al Ittihad.
This was the first game Ronaldo has missed all season, raising questions about his future in Saudi Arabia. He only signed a two-year extension last summer, keeping him at the club until 2027, and his contract includes a $50m release clause.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner moved to Saudi Arabia in late 2022 and has continued scoring at a remarkable rate. He has 111 goals in 127 matches, similar to his record at Real Madrid and Juventus.
However, trophies have been harder to come by. Since Ronaldo’s arrival, Al Nassr have not won the league or reached the AFC Champions League final. His only silverware so far is the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.
This season, Al Nassr are second in the league, just one point behind Al Hilal, and on a strong winning run. When Ronaldo signed his extension, he appeared committed, even declaring “Al Nassr forever” in a club video.
Why He Missed the Match
Ronaldo’s frustration comes from the January transfer window. He felt the club failed to strengthen the squad properly, signing only Abdullah Al-Hamdan from Al Hilal and Haydeer Abdulkareem from Iraq’s Al-Zawraa.
Meanwhile, rivals Al Hilal added Karim Benzema, Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate, showing greater ambition.
Ronaldo believes Al Nassr should have matched that level of intent, especially as they are competing for the title.
He sees a lack of balance between the Public Investment Fund (PIF)-owned clubs, with Al Hilal spending heavily while Al Nassr holds back. His own massive salary may limit their spending, but he still expected marquee signings.
Sources close to Ronaldo say his frustration is not only about Benzema’s move. He feels the club is not being supported enough financially or operationally. His stance is about defending Al Nassr’s interests and demanding equal treatment compared to other PIF-backed teams.
Since Ronaldo’s arrival, Al Nassr have invested heavily, signing players like Sadio Mane, Otavio, Aymeric Laporte, and Joao Felix.
Their spending totals over $400 million, similar to rivals Al Ahli and Al Ittihad, but still behind Al Hilal, who have spent around $650m on stars such as Neymar, Ruben Neves, and Joao Cancelo.
Ronaldo is a powerful figure at Al Nassr. He has close ties with the Portuguese leadership at the club, including CEO Jose Semedo and sporting director Simao Coutinho. Still, ultimate decisions rest with the owners.
Ronaldo has never been shy about voicing discontent, as seen in his explosive 2022 interview that ended his Manchester United career.
Ronaldo’s current deal runs until 2027, but by this summer, only 12 months will remain. His $50 million release clause could be activated, though it is unclear if a European club or MLS side would commit such money for a 41-year-old.
For fans following the Saudi Pro League, platforms like premier betting offer a way to stay engaged with the latest results and league action while Ronaldo’s future remains uncertain.
For now, his future is unclear. Ronaldo has returned to training, but whether he plays against Al Ittihad will show if the rift can be repaired or if his time at Al Nassr is nearing its end.
