FIFA Lifts Transfer Ban on Al-Nassr Ahead of January Window

On December 19, FIFA updated its list of clubs facing transfer bans, which included Al-Nassr. Fortunately for the club, they are set to be removed from this list shortly.

With the January transfer window approaching, Al-Nassr will have the opportunity to welcome new players to Riyadh, a development that will surely please Cristiano Ronaldo as he pursues a domestic title in Saudi Arabia.

Although the specific reason for Al-Nassr’s ban was not officially disclosed, reports from Al Riyadhiya suggest it stemmed from an unpaid installment regarding the transfer of Aymeric Laporte from Manchester City in August 2023. The Premier League side was reportedly expecting a payment of €9 million (£8 million/$11 million) on August 31, which was not received, prompting FIFA to take action.

This is not the first time Al-Nassr has faced sanctions. A similar ban was imposed in July 2023, shortly after Ronaldo’s much-publicized transfer. That incident was linked to financial irregularities surrounding Nigerian winger Ahmed Musa’s move from Leicester City in 2018, where performance-related bonuses totaling nearly £390,000 had not been paid. The ban was lifted after Al-Nassr paid nearly €2 million in reparations.

Following their latest compliance with FIFA regulations, Al-Nassr’s transfer embargo was lifted just two days after being announced. Notable transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed on social media that Al-Nassr’s compliance resulted in the permanent lifting of the registration ban, marking the closure of the case and providing crucial news ahead of the club’s 2026 plans.

Al-Nassr is not alone in facing sanctions within the Saudi Pro League, as fellow teams Al-Riyadh, Al-Shabab, and Al-Wehda are also under bans that extend across three transfer windows.

Ronaldo will likely hope that these sanctions impact his rivals as he seeks more tangible success, which has been scarce since his arrival in the Middle East. His only trophy to date is the Arab Club Champions Cup, won in 2023. Since then, he has experienced frustration in both domestic and continental competitions; however, he has led Al-Nassr to the top of the Saudi Pro League table for the 2025-26 season.

Al-Nassr currently boasts an unblemished record through nine matches, holding a four-point lead over second-placed Al-Hilal. They are scheduled to face Al-Zawraa in the AFC Cup on Wednesday before meeting Al-Akhdoud in the league on December 27.

Ronaldo has made a remarkable impact this season, scoring 11 goals in 12 appearances across all competitions and maintaining exceptional individual standards. He is a two-time winner of the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot and has scored a total of 110 goals for Al-Nassr, as he approaches the milestone of 1,000 career goals.

As the captain of the Portugal national team, Ronaldo is expected to compete in next summer’s World Cup, where he hopes to take the field with his long-time rival Lionel Messi, the defending champion with Argentina. With Al-Nassr poised to enhance their squad in the upcoming transfer window, Ronaldo will play a significant role in shaping the club’s recruitment strategy at Al-Awwal Park.