Cristiano Ronaldo Storms Back to Training as Al Nassr Drama Continues to Explode
While Cristiano Ronaldo has resumed training sessions with Al Nassr, sources suggest his dispute regarding the club's strategic direction remains far from settled.
The Portuguese superstar declined to feature for his team earlier this week due to dissatisfaction with what he perceives as insufficient investment from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) throughout the January transfer period, which saw no major acquisitions to match the continued spending by championship contenders Al Hilal, notably their signing of Karim Benzema from current titleholders Al Ittihad.
While a social media update confirmed Ronaldo's training return, ESPN reports he may not conclude his match boycott and could miss Friday's fixture against Al Ittihad as his protest continues.
What Is Ronaldo Frustrated About?
What Is Ronaldo Frustrated About?
Al Nassr represents one of four teams under Saudi PIF ownership, along with Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli. While all four organizations have invested substantially in recent seasons and provided enormous salaries to attract European talent, Ronaldo believes Al Nassr hasn't received equivalent financial support compared to their competitors.
During January, Ronaldo sought additional signings to strengthen his team's title challenge, but new arrivals were limited to Saudi forward Abdullah Al-Hamdan and 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem.
Conversely, Al Hilal invested €30 million ($35.4 million) on striker Mohamed Kader Meïté as backup for their new acquisition Benzema, plus an additional €40 million on Saïmon Bouabré, Pablo Marí, Murad Al-Hawsawi, Rayan Al-Dossary and Sultan Mandash.
Benzema's €25 million move particularly frustrated Ronaldo. The Portuguese icon attempted to prevent the transfer, which was funded by Al Hilal's independent private backer Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, a Saudi royal and billionaire entrepreneur, but failed in his efforts.
Ronaldo contends that Al Nassr, despite being allowed to secure private investment, hasn't delivered on their squad spending commitments compared to surrounding rivals.
Could Ronaldo Leave Al Nassr?
Could Ronaldo Leave Al Nassr?
With his deal running through summer 2027, Al Nassr theoretically shouldn't worry about losing Ronaldo involuntarily, though the precise dynamics of Saudi Arabian football politics remain murky.
Sources indicate Ronaldo is genuinely contemplating departure after this season, potentially remaining only through the coming months to avoid disrupting his World Cup preparations this summer.
Preliminary inquiries have already emerged, but even if Ronaldo decides to pursue an exit, Al Nassr must approve any negotiations with potential suitors.
Notably, Ronaldo's agreement reportedly contains a €50 million release clause that could compel Al Nassr's cooperation, though whether any organization would commit such substantial funds for a 41-year-old remains questionable.
Naturally, Saudi authorities are extremely hesitant to lose their marquee attraction—someone who generates more global attention than any other player—yet they're equally reluctant to antagonize someone with Ronaldo's tremendous influence while still working to establish their credibility as a legitimate sporting powerhouse.