Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly initiated a strike at Al Nassr, a team in the Saudi Pro League, due to increasing frustration with the club's transfer market activity.
As reported by the Portuguese publication A Bola, the 40-year-old forward has decided not to play, citing discontent with the management of Al Nassr by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) concerning other competing clubs.
Ronaldo missed a recent match against local rivals Al Riyadh, and a club insider mentioned to A Bola that the footballer is upset with the financial disparity maintained by the PIF at Al Nassr versus other teams in the Saudi Pro League.
The PIF owns a 75 percent stake in four Saudi clubs: Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, Al Hilal, and Al Nassr, and it has significantly impacted the league's success in attracting premier global talents.
Following Ronaldo's headline-making transfer to Riyadh in 2023, several notable players such as Karim Benzema, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Riyad Mahrez have signed with rival Saudi clubs for lucrative contracts. Unlike these other PIF-supported teams, Ronaldo contends that Al Nassr has not been given the same level of investment.
The player is said to be concerned that manager Jorge Jesus lacks adequate reinforcements compared to Al Hilal, who actively enhanced their squad during the January transfer window.
Al Nassr’s sole acquisition was 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem, while on the other hand, Al Hilal made significant signings, including Spanish defender Pablo Mari for £1.7 million and two additional deals for Rennes forward Kader Meite and Neom star Saimon Bouabre, each costing around £26 million.
In December, Jesus openly criticized the disparity, asserting that Al Nassr “does not have the political influence of Al Hilal,” a club he formerly managed. This remark prompted Al Hilal to seek a suspension for Jesus ranging from six months to one year.
Additionally, in December, Ronaldo hinted at a possible return to Europe as he pursues scoring his 1,000th career goal. At an event in Dubai, he stated: “My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe.”
“I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going. I will reach the number (1,000 goals) for sure, as long as there are no injuries.”
Recently, Ronaldo achieved his 961st career goal in a 3-0 victory against Al Kholood last Friday.
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