Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to end his brief standoff with Al Nassr and return to action for the Saudi Pro League (SPL) side on Saturday, following talks with club officials over his concerns about the club’s management and backing.
The 41-year-old Portugal captain has missed Al Nassr’s last two SPL matches after expressing dissatisfaction with how the club is being run. Despite returning to training last week, Ronaldo was left out of the matchday squad by head coach Jorge Jesus as tensions lingered behind the scenes.
Al Nassr officials, however, now believe the issue has been resolved after Ronaldo received assurances from the club. He is expected to feature in Saturday’s league clash against Al Fateh, potentially ending a protest that had begun to attract wider scrutiny within the league.
Before then, Al Nassr face an Asian Champions League Two fixture against Arkadag in Turkmenistan on Wednesday, though it remains unclear whether Ronaldo will travel for the continental tie.
Ronaldo’s absence did not prevent Al Nassr from securing results, as they recorded back-to-back wins, including a 2-0 victory over rivals Al Ittihad. Goals from Sadio Mané and Angelo Gabriel sealed the win, easing pressure on coach Jesus but not entirely calming concerns at league level.
Sources say Ronaldo’s frustration stems from a belief that Al Nassr are not receiving the same level of financial backing as title rivals Al Hilal. Both clubs are majority owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), but Ronaldo is said to feel Al Hilal have benefited from preferential treatment, particularly during the January transfer window.
His anger reportedly intensified after Al Hilal strengthened their squad with high-profile signings, including Karim Benzema, who went on to score a hat-trick on his debut in a 6-0 win over Al Akhdoud last Thursday.
The SPL has strongly rejected claims of imbalance, insisting that all clubs operate under the same financial framework. League officials argue that Al Nassr’s limited January activity was due to the club having already spent around £100m this season.
Saudi officials were also said to be surprised by Ronaldo’s stance, given his reported earnings of £500,000 per day. While he remains the most recognisable figure in the league, the SPL publicly warned the forward that his protest risked harming the image of the competition and the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund.
In a statement issued last Thursday, the league made clear that Ronaldo has no influence over decisions at clubs beyond his own.
“The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules,” a league spokesperson said.
“Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. That framework applies equally across the league.
“Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. But no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club.
“Recent transfer activity demonstrates that independence clearly. One club strengthened in a particular way. Another chose a different approach. Those were club decisions, taken within approved financial parameters.
“The competitiveness of the league speaks for itself. With only a few points separating the top four, the title race is very much alive. That level of balance reflects a system that is working as intended.
“The focus remains on football – on the pitch, where it belongs – and on maintaining a credible, competitive competition for players and fans.”
With only a few points separating the top four teams, the SPL insists the title race remains wide open and competitive. Ronaldo, who has 18 months left on his Al Nassr contract and a £43m summer release clause, now appears set to refocus on football as the league looks to move past the controversy.
Melissa Enoch
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