Cristiano Ronaldo ‘goes on strike’ and REFUSES to play for Al-Nassr with Man Utd legend ‘furious’ at current situation
CRISTIANO RONALDO has gone ON STRIKE and is refusing to play for Al-Nassr after being left “furious” at the club’s situation, according to reports.
The sporting icon is the highest-paid footballer in history with his current deal at the Saudi Arabian giants, raking in a reported £488,000 per day.
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Cristiano Ronaldo is set to refuse to play in Al-Nassr’s next gameCredit: Reuters
Ronaldo is said to be unhappy about the lack of backing in the transfer market from PIFCredit: Getty
Ronaldo, who celebrates his 41st birthday on Thursday, has scored 18 goals in 22 games across all competitions this season but is not set to be involved in Al-Nassr‘s next game against Al-Riyadh.
Local media had originally said he would miss the clash because of a physical issue.
But a fresh report has claimed he will actually miss the clash due to being unhappy with the club’s owners, Saudi Arabia‘s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Portuguese outlet A Bola claim the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend is dissatisfied over apparent favouritism they have shown to rival clubs in the Saudi Pro League over the transfer window.
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The report says Ronaldo has complained about manager Jorge Jesus not receiving the reinforcements he requested in the window, with the only player signed being 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem.
Meanwhile, title rivals and current league leaders Al-Hilal have signed ex-Arsenal defender Pablo Mari from Fiorentina, Kader Meité from Rennes in a £26million deal and are in talks for another £26m move for Neom star Saimon Bouabre.
Last month Jesus argued Al-Nassr “doesn’t have the political power of Al-Hilal”, a club he previously managed, an outburst which prompted Al-Hilal to request him being suspended for at least six months.
Two long-term friends of Ronaldo are also involved in the management of Al-Nassr, Simão Coutinho (sporting director) and José Semedo (CEO).
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However, the pair saw their power frozen at the start of the month after a decision by the board of directors, contributing further to Ronaldo’s unhappiness.
PIF have a 75 per cent controlling stake in four Saudi Pro League clubs – Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli – and was the driving force behind bringing in some of the world’s top football talent in recent years.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in December 2022, before the likes of Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez and Kalidou Koulibaly also headed to the Middle East.
He has scored 117 goals in 133 games in total, winning the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.
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