Cristiano Ronaldo Resumes Duties at Al-Nassr Following Club Concessions
Cristiano Ronaldo is believed to have called an end to his protest strike at Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr, after the Riyadh-based team reportedly yielded to several of his key demands. According to reports emerging from Portugal, the footballing icon has missed two consecutive matches for his side, despite earning a staggering weekly salary of £448,000.
Transfer Window Frustrations Spark Ronaldo's Ire
The 40-year-old superstar is said to have been incensed by what he perceived as a lack of action and ambition during the recent transfer window. Ronaldo watched as league rivals Al-Hilal, another club backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), secured the signing of his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad.
Portuguese outlet A Bola reports that Al-Nassr has now reinstated certain powers to directors Jose Semedo and Simao Coutinho. Both executives allegedly had their authority curtailed during the January window, which hampered the club's ability to make significant player acquisitions. Semedo, appointed chief executive in July, is a close friend of Ronaldo, while Coutinho serves as sporting director.
Internal Disputes and Salary Delays Add to Tensions
Beyond transfer frustrations, Ronaldo is also reported to have taken issue with unequal treatment within the club itself. The Portuguese forward was particularly concerned about numerous delays in salary payments to staff members. In response, Al-Nassr is believed to have settled outstanding payments in a bid to facilitate Ronaldo's return to the pitch.
The source of Ronaldo's discontent may have been further inflamed by Benzema's immediate impact at Al-Hilal, where the French international scored two goals on his debut. Meanwhile, Al-Nassr's winter transfer activity was limited to the acquisition of just one young midfielder, which reportedly left Ronaldo unimpressed with the club's strategic approach.
League Statement Defends Independence of Clubs
Last week, a statement shared with Daily Mail Sport from the Saudi Pro League suggested Ronaldo's claims were unfounded. The league spokesperson emphasized that every club operates independently under the same rules, with decisions on recruitment, spending, and strategy resting with individual clubs within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance.
The spokesperson added that recent transfer activity had clearly demonstrated this independence, noting that one club strengthened in a particular way while another chose a different approach. They affirmed that no individual, regardless of their significance, determines decisions beyond their own club.
Ronaldo's Return to Action and Broader Context
Cristiano Ronaldo will now prepare for his return to competitive action, not with the squad for their midweek AFC Cup away tie against Turkmenistan side Arkadag, but when the Saudi Pro League resumes on Saturday against Al-Fateh. Despite his absence, Al-Nassr secured victories in both matches he missed, winning 2-0 against Al-Ittihad and 1-0 against Al-Riyadh.
Since arriving at Al-Nassr in January 2023, Ronaldo has yet to win major silverware with the club, having missed out on league success to rivals including Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal. Nevertheless, he and his family have settled in the Gulf State, where he has become the world's highest-paid professional footballer. The league spokesperson highlighted the competitiveness of the current season, with only a few points separating the top four teams, underscoring that the title race remains very much alive.
