Cristiano Ronaldo has missed his second consecutive match for Al Nassr as tensions between the 41-year-old superstar and the club’s leadership continue to escalate. Ronaldo was absent from Al Nassr’s 2‑0 victory over Al Ittihad on Friday, having also been left out of the squad for Monday’s 1‑0 win against Al Riyadh. The team won both matches without him, moving to second place in the Saudi Pro League, just one point behind league leaders Al Hilal.
The Portuguese forward’s absence is reportedly not due to injury, as he has been seen training with the squad, but stems from an ongoing dispute with the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Saudi sovereign wealth entity that owns Al Nassr. According to multiple reports, Ronaldo is frustrated by what he sees as insufficient backing and transfer support compared with rival clubs, particularly Al Hilal, which recently signed Karim Benzema, his former Real Madrid teammate. Sources indicate that Ronaldo’s decision to miss the recent matches is part of a protest over the club’s management and transfer policies, which he feels have not met the assurances given to him.
The Saudi Pro League has responded to the situation by emphasizing that no individual player determines club decisions and that all clubs operate independently under the league’s framework. Despite his absence, fans have shown support for Ronaldo during matches, with some raising placards displaying his name and iconic No. 7 jersey number.
Ronaldo remains under contract with Al Nassr until 2027 and continues to be one of the highest-paid footballers in the world. Neither Ronaldo nor the club has issued an official statement regarding when he will return to action, fueling speculation about his future at the Saudi club.
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