Strict warning from Saudi Pro League over Ronaldo boycott issue

Amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding his future at Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo has found himself at the centre of a stern warning from the Saudi Pro League. League authorities have made it unequivocally clear that no player, regardless of their global stature, is permitted to make decisions independently of their club.

Ronaldo’s frustration stems from the manner in which the Public Investment Fund (PIF) manages Al Nassr. The PIF, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, exercises significant influence over four of the kingdom’s top football clubs — Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli. According to Ronaldo, the PIF has provided rival clubs such as Al Hilal with greater financial advantages, undermining Al Nassr’s competitive position.

This perceived imbalance also influenced Ronaldo’s efforts to prevent Karim Benzema’s transfer from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal, arguing that the move would make it easier for Al Hilal to secure the league title. Benzema marked his debut for Al Hilal with a stunning hat-trick on Thursday, helping his new club thrash Al Okhdood 6–0.

Reports from ESPN indicate that Ronaldo had planned to boycott consecutive league matches in protest of the club’s management, pending assurances of structural changes from the PIF. If such assurances are not forthcoming, he may formally request to leave Al Nassr at the conclusion of the current season in June. However, the Saudi Pro League has reiterated that each club operates independently, making its own decisions regarding management and strategy.

A league spokesperson told BBC Sport: “Within the league’s framework, all clubs are managed independently. Responsibilities such as squad formation, financial expenditure, and tactical planning rest solely with the clubs. These rules apply equally to all teams.”

He added, “Since joining Al Nassr, Ronaldo has played a vital role in the club’s development. Nevertheless, no individual, however prominent, can make decisions outside their own club.”

Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in 2022 following his departure from Manchester United, becoming the highest-paid footballer in the world with an annual salary of approximately £177 million. To date, he has helped the club win only the Arab Club Champions Cup and extended his contract with Al Nassr for two more years in June last year.

Currently, Al Hilal leads the Saudi Pro League with 50 points from 20 matches, while Al Nassr sits third, four points behind, having played one match fewer. Ronaldo’s participation in today’s match against Al Ittihad remains uncertain.

The unfolding saga underscores both the influence of financial power in Saudi football and the limits imposed on even the game’s biggest stars within the kingdom’s tightly controlled league system.