Why Cristiano Ronaldo Is Protesting at Al Nassr and Could Leave Saudi Pro League in June?

Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is set to boycott a second consecutive Saudi Pro League match as tensions escalate between the Al Nassr star and the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund over what he believes is unequal treatment and insufficient investment in his club, sources told ESPN.

Ronaldo was absent from Al Nassr’s 1-0 win over Al Riyadh on Monday, a move seen as a protest against PIF’s management of the club and its alleged lack of ambition in the recently closed January transfer window.

The Portuguese forward is also expected to sit out Friday’s crucial league clash against Al Ittihad, even as Al Nassr have a chance to go top of the table.

At the heart of Ronaldo’s frustration is his belief that Al Nassr are not receiving the same level of financial backing as the other three Saudi clubs owned by PIF, Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad.

Al Nassr are currently second on the league table with 46 points, one behind leaders Al Hilal, and Ronaldo has been pushing for greater ambition as he seeks to win his first Saudi Pro League title since joining the club.

Sources said Ronaldo was particularly angered by Al Hilal’s acquisition of Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad, a transfer he tried to block after concluding that it tilted the title race in Al Hilal’s favour.

By contrast, Al Nassr’s only January signing was a young Iraqi midfielder, Hayder Abdulkareem, following a period in which the club’s sporting director Simao Coutinho and CEO Jose Semedo were suspended by PIF.

The suspensions led to tighter spending controls and hindered the arrival of top players.

Preferential treatment fuelled more anger

Al Hilal received a major financial boost from Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Alsaud, a key benefactor who owns 25 per cent of the club, with the remaining stake held by PIF.

All of Al Hilal’s signings in the window, including Benzema, were funded by Alwaleed rather than the league or PIF.

Ronaldo trained with Al Nassr this week and yesterday shared photos on social media wearing the club’s colours.

However, the club’s official X account posted training pictures featuring coach Jorge Jesus and other players, with Ronaldo notably absent.

Sources said the 41-year-old has made it clear that his return to the pitch depends on a swift restoration of the club management’s powers and assurances that outside interference in transfer decisions will not be repeated in the summer window.

Exit Clause, Trophy Drought Add to Ronaldo’s Growing Discontent

The situation has also raised questions about Ronaldo’s long-term future in Saudi Arabia.

Although his contract runs until 2027, sources revealed that he could leave as early as June if no changes are made, without completing the deal.

The contract includes a €50 million summer release clause.

Ronaldo is understood to be frustrated that, despite his influence and stature, he has yet to win a major trophy with Al Nassr.

From the Saudi Pro League’s perspective, there is surprise at Ronaldo’s unhappiness, particularly given that he earns a reported £500,000 a day and has been involved in discussions around transfers and investment opportunities.

League officials insist that funding across PIF-owned clubs is fair and transparent, and that Al Nassr’s relative inactivity in January was due to the club already spending around £100 million this season.

The league also stressed that Benzema’s move to Al Hilal was funded privately and that there is nothing preventing Al Nassr from attracting private investors of their own.

Financial regulations and funding mechanisms, officials said, are designed to protect integrity, sustainability and competitiveness across the league.

Despite the standoff, Saudi officials maintain that Ronaldo retains their full support and that nothing has fundamentally changed.

Talks are ongoing, and with the league keen not to lose one of its biggest global stars, PIF and Al Nassr have reportedly promised significant investment in the summer.

(With inputs from ANI)