Overview
- Al-Nassr’s team sheet for the Feb. 2 game against Al Riyadh did not include Cristiano Ronaldo, and Fabrizio Romano reported the absence was not injury- or fitness-related.
- Portuguese outlet A Bola and other publications reported that Ronaldo made himself unavailable in protest at how the Public Investment Fund supports Al-Nassr compared with other PIF-owned clubs.
- ESPN, citing sources, reported that the Saudi Ministry of Sport and PIF put Karim Benzema’s proposed move to Al Hilal on hold, with Ronaldo’s discontent cited as a contributing factor.
- Al-Nassr completed only one January signing, Haydeer Abdulkareem, after coach Jorge Jesus publicly referenced foreign-player slot limits and financial constraints.
- Reports also say the board reduced the powers of sporting director Simão Coutinho and CEO José Semedo, a change linked to Ronaldo’s frustration, while his status for the Feb. 6 Al Ittihad match is one to watch.