Ronaldo Returns to Form Amidst Tensions at Al-Nassr

omidbasir- Cristiano Ronaldo was reinstated to Al-Nassr’s starting lineup for Saturday’s Saudi Pro League match against Al-Fateh, assuming the role of captain after missing the club’s last two league games.

The 39-year-old forward had been sidelined during matches against Al-Ittihad and Al-Riyadh earlier this month. Reports suggested that his absence was a strategic boycott stemming from dissatisfaction with the club’s transfer activities. Ronaldo expressed frustration that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) had not made significant investments to bolster Al-Nassr’s squad, especially as rivals Al-Hilal made considerable signings, including acquiring his former strike partner.

This week, discussions took place to address key concerns, including overdue salary payments and restoring more operational control to Al-Nassr’s executives. Following these conversations, Ronaldo agreed to return to play.

The Saudi Pro League also released a statement regarding the matter, asserting: “Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. However, no individual—regardless of their significance—can dictate decisions beyond their own club.”

Ronaldo quickly reminded fans of his value upon his return to the pitch. After a dynamic start from Al-Nassr’s attack, the breakthrough occurred in the 18th minute when Sadio Mane fed a pass into the penalty area, allowing Ronaldo to finish with precision into the bottom-right corner. Despite the opportunity having an expected goals value of only 0.21, the quality of his finish was typical of Ronaldo.

Prior to his goal, Ronaldo had already been actively engaged in the match, having shot over the bar within the first minute and later attempting a long-range effort after a pass from Marcelo Brozovic. Additionally, fellow teammates Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman also had scoring opportunities during the early stages of the game.

Coming into this match, Al-Nassr was positioned third in the league standings, four points behind leaders Al-Hilal, though they held a game in hand, keeping them firmly in the title race.

On a personal level, Ronaldo is also pursuing the Golden Boot, trailing Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney, who leads the scoring charts, while Julian Quinones of Al-Qadsiah is also ahead. Saturday’s goal marked his 17th of the season, a commendable tally with numerous matches yet to play.

Ronaldo’s return appears to mark the resolution of a tense chapter between the player, club, and league stakeholders in Saudi Arabia. For Al-Nassr, the focus must now shift to maximizing their performance on the field, as the club cannot afford to drop further points if they hope to challenge Al-Hilal for the title.

For Ronaldo, the goal is straightforward: to continue scoring. His immediate impact against Al-Fateh indicates that the recent disputes have not diminished his sharpness or competitive mindset. The remainder of the season will likely determine whether his second full campaign in Saudi Arabia culminates in silverware.