Cristiano Ronaldo was missing from Al Nassr's squad for their AFC Champions League Two match against Arkadag in Turkmenistan, with reports suggesting his absence stems from displeasure over the club's January transfer activity.
The 41-year-old Portugal captain has now sat out two Saudi Pro League games, against Al Riyadh and Al Ittihad. Fans at Al-Awwal Park on Friday showed their support by raising yellow signs bearing Ronaldo's name and shirt number seven in the seventh minute.
Despite his exclusion from the last-16 first leg line-up, Al Nassr's social media on Wednesday morning showed him training with teammates in Riyadh. Ronaldo is reportedly unhappy with the Saudi Public Investment Fund for failing to invest in the team during the winter window, while rivals Al Hilal—also 75 per cent majority-owned by the PIF—signed his former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad.
The Saudi Pro League has issued a warning that “no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club”.
