Cristiano Ronaldo is said to have ‘gone on strike’, with reports claiming he is unwilling to feature for Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr.
The 40-year-old committed his future to the club last year by signing a fresh two-year deal ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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The Portugal icon is expected to appear at his final major international competition this summer and looks set to see out his playing days in the Middle East. ..[read more]
Al Nassr are one of four Saudi Pro League teams under the ownership of the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), alongside Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli.
As a result, those four sides benefit from vastly enhanced transfer budgets, enabling them to pursue some of the biggest names in world football.
There has also been reported unrest at Al Ittihad, where star forward Karim Benzema is believed to feel ‘disrespected’ by the club.
ESPN claim the Frenchman was offered a renewed deal that relied heavily on image rights payments, leaving him with virtually no base salary.
The 38-year-old is now edging closer to a switch to fellow PIF-backed side Al Hilal.
Portuguese outlet A Bola reports that this situation has been a significant source of frustration for Ronaldo, who is reportedly unhappy with Al Nassr’s limited transfer activity compared to rival clubs.
It is alleged that Ronaldo has voiced concerns over ‘the lack of investment at Al Nassr’, with the club managing just one permanent signing — Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem — during the winter transfer window.
The report further claims that Ronaldo has effectively ‘gone on strike’ and will not be involved in Monday’s Saudi Pro League fixture against Al Riyadh.
Al Nassr currently occupy second place in the league standings after 18 matches, trailing leaders Al Hilal by three points.
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