Cristiano Ronaldo’s unexpected absence from Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League match against Al Riyadh on Monday has sparked widespread speculation, with rumours of internal unrest and growing tension behind the scenes. While Al Nassr secured a narrow 1–0 victory thanks to a Sadio Mané goal, the win did little to quiet questions surrounding their star player’s future.
What made the situation particularly puzzling was that Ronaldo was initially named in the matchday squa
d when the line-ups were announced. His eventual omission came without any official explanation related to injury or fitness, immediately raising eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.
With the club offering no clarification and Ronaldo remaining silent, attention quickly shifted from tactical reasoning to possible off-field issues. This comes amid a broader context of Al Nassr’s recent struggles, missed trophies, and increasing pressure within the club.
Is It Ronaldo vs the Saudi Pro League?
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Ronaldo’s absence was far from accidental. The report claims the 40-year-old forward is deeply frustrated with the way Al Nassr is being managed under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Al Nassr are one of four elite clubs controlled by the PIF, alongside Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli. Ronaldo’s reported dissatisfaction centres on what he perceives as unequal treatment. While rival PIF-backed clubs have continued to invest heavily and strengthen their squads, Al Nassr’s recruitment has been comparatively modest.
The club’s only winter signing was Hayder Abdulkareem, a 21-year-old midfielder from Iraq — a move that reportedly did little to convince Ronaldo that Al Nassr are serious about mounting a sustained title challenge.
How Has Ronaldo’s Saudi Chapter Unfolded?
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in late 2022 after leaving Manchester United, becoming the highest-paid footballer in the world with a reported annual salary of around £177 million. Despite maintaining an impressive goal-scoring record, his success in terms of silverware has been limited.
So far, his only trophy with the club is the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023. Since then, Al Nassr have finished second twice in the league before dropping to third last season, while also falling short in domestic cup finals and Asian competitions. Meanwhile, Ronaldo has watched rivals — including former teammates — lift league titles elsewhere in Saudi Arabia.
Adding to the instability, reports suggest that Al Nassr’s sporting director, Simo Coutinho, and CEO, José Semedo, have recently had their decision-making powers frozen by the club’s board, further complicating the internal structure.
With Al Nassr currently second in the league, three points behind Al Hilal, Ronaldo’s unexplained absence has intensified talk of a potential breaking point. Whether this was a one-off protest or a sign of deeper unrest could define the next chapter of his Saudi Arabian journey.