Cristiano Ronaldo has decided to extend his ongoing silent protest against his club, Al-Nassr, by missing another upcoming fixture. After sitting out Al-Nassr’s match against Al-Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League, the Portuguese star has reportedly opted to remain sidelined for the forthcoming game against Al-Ettifaq.
The root of the issue lies in Ronaldo’s profound dissatisfaction following the high-profile acquisition of former Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema by rival club Al-Hilal. Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr share a fierce rivalry, currently sitting at the top of the league table separated by a single point, with Ronaldo’s side trailing in second place.
Ronaldo’s frustration stems from the fact that Al-Nassr remained inactive in the transfer market while Al-Hilal secured Benzema’s signature. He reportedly views this as a disparity in treatment by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns both clubs. Ronaldo believes that Benzema’s transfer disrupts the competitive balance between the two teams, significantly strengthening the rival side.
Initially, Ronaldo’s protest aimed to block the transfer. However, after the move was finalized, Al-Hilal officials responded to the situation. Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada addressed the tension, stating that Al-Nassr should manage its own internal affairs.
“This cannot be viewed as unequal treatment. In fact, Al-Nassr has historically acquired more players than we have. If you examine the total expenditure by the Public Investment Fund, the investment in Al-Nassr remains higher. The reasons for Ronaldo’s frustration are questions that should be directed to him personally,” the CEO remarked.
Financial data regarding the two clubs, both 75% owned by the PIF, shows that Al-Nassr has spent approximately $409 million on player transfers since Ronaldo’s arrival. In contrast, Al-Hilal has invested over $600 million during the past two seasons.
Reports suggest that if the Saudi Public Investment Fund does not commit to further strengthening Al-Nassr’s squad, Ronaldo is highly likely to depart the club at the conclusion of this season.
The 41-year-old veteran joined Al-Nassr in 2023. Meanwhile, Al-Nassr’s leadership has indicated that bringing in more players from Europe is currently unfeasible due to a shift towards fiscal consolidation and cost-cutting measures.
