Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly refused to play for Al-Nassr ahead of their upcoming match against local rivals Al-Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The 40-year-old forward, who earns an astonishing £488,000 per day as the highest-paid player in football history, expresses frustration with the management of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The Funding Dispute
Al-Nassr faces the possibility of missing their captain, who has netted 18 goals in 22 appearances across all competitions this season. Sources indicate Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction stems from how the PIF allocates finances to Al-Nassr compared to other clubs. The PIF holds a 75 percent stake in four major Saudi Pro League teams: Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Nassr. This fund has fueled the league’s recruitment of global stars through lucrative contracts.
Following Ronaldo’s high-profile transfer to Al-Nassr in 2023, players like Karim Benzema, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Riyad Mahrez joined Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli on substantial deals. Despite ongoing squad enhancements for these teams, Ronaldo believes Al-Nassr receives unequal treatment in the transfer market. The club has yet to secure a domestic trophy under his tenure.
Recent Transfer Activity Highlights Inequality
Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus has voiced concerns over the financial disparities, stating that Al-Nassr lacks the political influence of rivals like Al-Hilal, a club he once led. In the January transfer window, Al-Nassr added only 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem to their roster.
In contrast, Al-Hilal, under Simone Inzaghi, invested £1.7 million in Spanish defender Pablo Mari and £26 million for Rennes striker Kader Meite. The club is also close to finalizing a £26 million deal for Neom’s Saimon Bouabre. Jesus’s comments on the imbalance led Al-Hilal to call for his suspension from the Saudi Pro League for six months to a year.
Ronaldo’s Future Ambitions
Last month, Ronaldo suggested a potential return to Europe while emphasizing his drive to reach 1,000 career goals. At an awards event in Dubai, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star remarked, ‘My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going. I will reach the number (1000 goals) for sure, if no injuries.’
Ronaldo recently hit his 961st career goal in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 victory over Al-Kholood.
