The Portuguese forward reportedly steps away from Al-Nassr amid growing frustration over club backing, with his involvement in Monday’s derby against Al-Riyadh now uncertain
Cristiano Ronaldo is reported to have refused to take part in preparations ahead of Al-Nassr’s next Saudi Pro League fixture, with tensions escalating between the club’s captain and those overseeing its sporting direction.
Portuguese media claim the forward’s dissatisfaction has reached a point where his involvement in Monday’s derby against Al-Riyadh is now uncertain.
According to reporting in Portugal, the issue is not contractual or disciplinary but linked to Ronaldo’s belief that Al-Nassr are not receiving the same level of support as their domestic rivals.
A source cited by A Bola claims the 40-year-old is unhappy with how Saudi Arabia’s investment strategy is being applied across the league, particularly in comparison with other state-backed clubs.
The backdrop to the dispute is the ownership structure of Saudi football. The Public Investment Fund controls 75 percent of four leading clubs: Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli.
While that model has driven the league’s rapid expansion and global visibility, it has also created internal competition for influence and resources.
Ronaldo’s own arrival in 2023 marked a turning point for the league, paving the way for other elite names to follow. Karim Benzema joined Al-Ittihad, Kalidou Koulibaly moved to Al-Hilal and Riyad Mahrez signed for Al-Ahli, all on lucrative contracts that signalled Saudi football’s ambitions.
Transfer imbalance and growing internal tension at Al-Nassr
Since that initial surge, the gap in recruitment has become a point of contention. Al-Nassr’s activity in the current window has been modest, limited to the addition of 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem.
By contrast, Al-Hilal have continued to invest heavily, signing former Arsenal defender Pablo Marí for £1.7m and spending £26m on Rennes forward Kader Meïté, with another £26m move for Neom winger Saimon Bouabré also reported to be close.
Ronaldo is said to believe that this disparity has left his manager, Jorge Jesus, without the necessary tools to compete on equal footing. Jesus himself drew attention to the issue last month when he questioned the balance of power within the league, stating that Al-Nassr “does not have the political power of Al-Hilal”.
Those remarks proved highly controversial. Al-Hilal responded by formally requesting that the Saudi Pro League impose a suspension on Jesus of between six months and a year, underlining how sensitive the debate around investment and influence has become.
Ronaldo’s reported decision to step away from preparations is the most high-profile development yet in that broader context. His absence would represent a significant blow for Al-Nassr, not only because of his goals but also because of his leadership and symbolic importance to the league’s international profile.