The Saudi Pro League has warned that no individual player—regardless of stature—can influence decisions beyond their own club, as uncertainty grows around Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Al-Nassr.
The Portugal forward, now 41, was notably absent from Al-Nassr’s squad for Monday’s league fixture against Al-Riyadh, sparking speculation over his relationship with the club and league hierarchy.
Portuguese outlet A Bola reported that Ronaldo refused to play, citing frustration with how Al-Nassr is being run by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). BBC Sport understands that the immediate trigger for Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction was the high-profile switch of former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad to league leaders Al-Hilal earlier this week.
Benzema, 38, marked his arrival at Al-Hilal with a hat-trick on debut in a 6–0 victory over Al-Okhdood, further underlining the club’s title credentials. Al-Hilal, the most decorated club in Saudi football history with 19 league titles, are also backed by the PIF, which owns Premier League side Newcastle United.
While Ronaldo shared an image of himself back in training on Wednesday, Saudi Pro League officials remain unsure whether he will feature in Friday’s clash against Al-Ittihad.
In a statement to BBC Sport, a Saudi Pro League spokesperson said the competition operates on a clear principle of club independence.
“Every club operates independently under the same rules,” the spokesperson said. “Clubs have their own boards, executives and football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy rest with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance.”
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in late 2022 after leaving Manchester United, becoming the highest-paid footballer in history on an annual salary reported to be £177m. Despite his individual impact, his only trophy with the club remains the Arab Club Champions Cup.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner signed a fresh two-year contract in June 2025, though speculation over a possible move— including a loan switch to Al-Hilal—had surfaced before the extension was agreed.
“Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al-Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition,” the league spokesperson added. “Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. But no individual—however significant—determines decisions beyond their own club.”
The spokesperson pointed to recent transfer dealings as evidence of that autonomy, noting that clubs have pursued different strategies within approved financial limits.
Al-Nassr’s only signing in the January window was Iraq Under-23 midfielder Hayder Abdulkareem, while Al-Hilal have surged ahead at the top of the table. They are unbeaten this season, leading with 50 points from 20 matches, four points clear of third-placed Al-Nassr, who do have a game in hand.
“The competitiveness of the league speaks for itself,” the spokesperson said. “With only a few points separating the top four, the title race is very much alive. The focus remains on football—on the pitch, where it belongs.”
