Cristiano Ronaldo will return to the Al-Nassr starting line-up this weekend after ending his strike over the club's lack of transfer activity. The 41-year-old forward refused to play in the last two matches in protest, but has now secured a resolution to his grievances.
Ronaldo was unhappy with Al-Nassr's owners, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, for failing to strengthen the squad during the January window while rivals Al-Ittihad signed Karim Benzema. He sat out matches against Al-Ittihad and Al-Riyadh.
The Times reports that Ronaldo has now made himself available for Saturday's game against Al-Fateh. The resolution came after Al-Nassr re-established the powers of chief executive Jose Semedo and director of football Simão Coutinho, both close allies of Ronaldo, and paid club staff who had gone without wages.
Despite the short-term truce, Ronaldo's long-term future in Saudi Arabia is in doubt. He is under contract until the end of next season but has a £43 million release clause that becomes active this summer. Interest from Europe and MLS exists, but his wages of around £488,000 per day present a major obstacle.
A Saudi Pro League spokesperson previously stated that 'no individual - however significant - determines decisions beyond their own club,' emphasising that clubs operate independently within a financial framework. Ronaldo's strike has highlighted tensions between star power and league governance.
