Overview
- Cristiano Ronaldo was unavailable for Al-Nassr’s Feb. 2 league game against Al-Riyadh, which Al-Nassr won 1-0 through a Sadio Mané goal.
- Club and local reports cited a muscle issue and precautionary rest, while Portugal’s A Bola reported he chose not to play in protest over management and investment.
- A Bola’s reporting centers on perceived preferential backing for rivals—especially Al Hilal—after Al-Nassr added only Haydeer Abdulkareem in January as Al Hilal pursued higher-profile deals, including interest in Karim Benzema.
- Recent internal changes at Al-Nassr reportedly cut the authority of Simão Coutinho and José Semedo, two Portuguese executives close to Ronaldo, deepening his dissatisfaction.
- Ronaldo renewed in June 2025 on a two-year deal reportedly worth over $400 million, and the dispute raises fresh questions about his role, his future at the club, and his pursuit of 1,000 career goals.