Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League clash against Al Riyadh on Monday has sparked intense speculation and renewed scrutiny of the Portuguese star’s future in Saudi Arabia. Although Al Nassr would have breathed better without their Portuguese superstar after winning the match 1-0, the Gulf club’s troubles were not over yet thanks to a Sadio Mane goal.
What made the episode more interesting was that Cristiano Ronaldo was initially named in the matchday squad when the squads were released. His eventual omission, without any official explanation linked to injury or fitness concerns, immediately raised eyebrows.
With Al Nassr offering nothing clear and Ronaldo remaining silent, attention quickly shifted from tactical decisions to tensions off the pitch, especially given the wider context of the club’s recent struggles and missed opportunities for silverware.
Is it Cristiano Ronaldo vs Saudi Pro League?
According to the Portuguese portal A Bola, Ronaldo’s absence was not accidental. The report claims the 40-year-old is deeply unhappy with the way Al Nassr is being managed under the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). Al Nassr is one of several elite clubs controlled by the fund, along with rivals Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli.
The core of Ronaldo’s frustration is believed to stem from perceived unequal treatment. While rival PIF-backed clubs have continued to invest heavily in strengthening their squads, Al Nassr’s recent recruitment has been modest. The club’s only winter signing was Hayder Abdulkareem, a 21-year-old midfielder from Iraq, a move that reportedly did little to convince Ronaldo of a serious title push.
What was cristiano ronaldo’s saudi chapter?
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in 2022 after leaving Manchester United and became the highest paid footballer in the world with an annual salary reportedly around one hundred and seventy seven million pounds. Despite his remarkable goalscoring record, his trophy haul was limited to the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup.
Since then, Al Nassr have finished second in the league twice before slipping to third last season while also failing to reach the domestic cup and Asian competition finals. Meanwhile, Ronaldo has watched rivals, including former team-mates, lift league titles elsewhere in Saudi Arabia.
Adding to the uncertainty was Al Nassr sporting director Simo Coutinho and general manager Jos Semedo reportedly having their decision-making powers frozen by the club’s board, further complicating the internal structure.
With Al Nassr currently second in the table, three points behind Al Hilal, Ronaldo’s inexplicable absence has fueled talk of a potential tipping point. Whether it was a one-off protest or a signal of deeper unrest, it could define the next chapter of his Saudi adventure.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
February 3, 2026