The Saudi Pro League has cautioned Cristiano Ronaldo, stating that 'no individual determines decisions beyond their own club' amidst ongoing concerns about his future with Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo, who is 41 years old, was not included in Al-Nassr's lineup for the recent Saudi Pro League match against Al-Riyadh.
Reports from the Portuguese media outlet A Bola indicate that Ronaldo declined to participate due to his dissatisfaction with the management of the club by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Further, sources from BBC Sport suggest that Ronaldo's frustration was exacerbated by his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema's recent transfer to league leaders Al-Hilal from Al-Ittihad.
Benzema, 38, made an impressive debut for Al-Hilal, scoring a hat-trick during a resounding 6-0 victory over Al-Okhdood on Thursday.
Both Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, the most decorated club in the country with a record 19 league titles, are under the control of the PIF, which also supports Newcastle United.
After posting a training photo on Wednesday, there is uncertainty surrounding whether Ronaldo will feature in the upcoming match against Al-Ittihad on Friday.
A representative from the Saudi Pro League conveyed to BBC Sport: 'The Saudi Pro League operates on a fundamental principle: each club functions independently under the same set of regulations.'
They further clarified, 'Each club has its own boards, executives, and football leadership. Choices surrounding recruitment, expenditures, and strategies are made within the confines of a financial structure that promotes sustainability and competitive fairness.'
According to the spokesperson, Ronaldo has been actively involved with Al- Nassr since his signing and has played a crucial role in advancing the club's ambitions. 'As with any top-level competitor, he has the desire to win,' they asserted.
They added, 'However, no one—no matter how prominent—can dictate decisions that extend beyond their own club.'
The statement emphasized that the recent transfer activities illustrate this independence. 'One club opted for a specific enhancement, while another chose a disparate path. These were club-specific choices made within approved financial boundaries.'
Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in 2022 after leaving Manchester United mid- season, reportedly became the highest-paid player in football with an annual salary of £177 million, yet his sole achievement with the club has been winning the Arab Club Champions Cup.
In June, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner extended his contract for another two years until 2025. Nonetheless, prior to agreeing to the extension, there was speculation regarding his potential exit, with a loan transfer to rivals Al-Hilal among the possibilities mentioned.
During the January transfer window, Al-Nassr only acquired Iraq Under-23 midfielder Hayder Abdulkareem.
Currently, Al-Hilal remains unbeaten in the league season with 50 points after 20 matches, while Al-Nassr trails them by four points in third place, despite having a game in hand.
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