Cristiano Ronaldo went on strike ahead of Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League clash with local rivals Al-Riyadh on Monday. The action reportedly came amid growing frustration over the club’s financial backing.
The 40-year-old forward is said to be unhappy with how Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) manages Al-Nassr compared with rival clubs it controls.
Transfer Backing Compared With Rivals
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Ronaldo believes Al-Nassr have not been backed as strongly in the transfer market as Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, despite the PIF owning 75 percent of each of the four clubs.
January Window Highlights Imbalance
The January transfer window sharpened that contrast. Al-Nassr signed only 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem.
By comparison, Al-Hilal added Spanish defender Pablo Mari and Rennes forward Kader Meite, while also signing Neom winger Saimon Bouabre. The disparity reportedly angered Ronaldo.
Previous Comments From Jorge Jesus
Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus had earlier voiced similar concerns in January, stating that the club “does not have the political power of Al-Hilal.”
Those remarks led Al-Hilal to request a suspension of between six months and one year for Jesus. The Saudi Disciplinary and Ethics Committee has acknowledged the complaint but has yet to issue a ruling.
No Official Statements Issued
Cristiano Ronaldo has not made a public statement regarding the reports of his strike. Al-Nassr have also not released an official response to the situation.
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