Cristiano Ronaldo will not feature in Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League match against Al-Riyadh on Monday despite being fully fit, in what reports describe as a protest against the club’s direction.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano and Planet Football, the 41-year-old Portuguese star is dissatisfied with the level of support Al-Nassr is receiving from the Saudi Public Investment Fund compared to rivals Al-Hilal.
“Sources close to the situation indicated that Ronaldo was unhappy with how Al-Nassr were being supported by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF),” Planet Football reported. Ronaldo reportedly believes Al-Nassr has not been backed to the same extent as Al-Hilal, who lead the table and are close to signing Karim Benzema.
Frustrated by a quiet January transfer window and the possibility of missing out on the league title, Ronaldo’s absence is seen as a clear message of protest. Al-Nassr is expected to cope without him against lower-ranked opposition.
This is not the first time Ronaldo has taken such a stance. In October 2022, he refused to come on as a late substitute for Manchester United against Tottenham, leaving the bench before the final whistle—an act he later regretted but said was provoked.
In August 2021, he asked not to be selected for Juventus’ season opener against Empoli as he pushed for a move away, shortly before returning to Manchester United.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in December 2022 and is still pursuing his first league title with the club.
