Ronaldo Boycotts Second Match Amid Saudi Uncertainty

Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr is becoming increasingly uncertain, as the Portuguese superstar sat out his second consecutive match. Despite his absence, Al-Nassr secured a 2-0 victory over Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League on Friday, 6 February.

The win was sealed in the closing stages by former Liverpool forward Sadio Mané and Brazilian attacker Ângelo Gabriel, each scoring a goal to ensure a comfortable triumph for the Riyadh-based side.

Ronaldo was also absent earlier in the week, missing Al-Nassr’s 1-0 win over Al-Riyadh on Monday. During that match, a group of Al-Nassr supporters held up yellow placards displaying Ronaldo’s name and the iconic number 7 jersey, signalling concern among fans over internal club matters.

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Ronaldo has refused to play due to dissatisfaction with how the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) manages the club. However, the Saudi Pro League told BBC Sport that while Ronaldo’s contributions to Al-Nassr have been vital, no individual player, regardless of star status, can make decisions outside the club’s management structure.

Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in December 2022 after leaving Manchester United, signing a contract reportedly worth £177 million annually, making him the highest-paid footballer in history. At the time, the club hailed the signing as “part of history.”

Despite his global status, Ronaldo has so far won only one major trophy in Saudi Arabia—the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup. In June 2025, he renewed his contract with Al-Nassr for an additional two years.

Reports suggest one factor in Ronaldo’s frustration may be the departure of former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema, who left Al-Ittihad for Al-Hilal. The 38-year-old French striker marked his debut for Al-Hilal this week with a sensational hat-trick, intensifying Al-Nassr’s competition at the top of the league.

After 20 league matches, Al-Nassr sits second, one point behind Al-Hilal. Both clubs remain under the ownership of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, highlighting the growing rivalry among PIF-controlled teams.

The back-to-back absences have intensified speculation over Ronaldo’s commitment to Al-Nassr, as both fans and media closely monitor how the situation develops.