Ronaldo’s Discontent with Al Nassr Amid Transfer Disputes

Cristiano Ronaldo has been informed by the Saudi Pro League that “no individual—regardless of their stature—makes decisions beyond their own club,” following a dispute concerning transfer expenditures.

The Portuguese icon, who celebrated his 41st birthday on Thursday, is dissatisfied with Al Nassr’s lack of movement in the January transfer window. Sources have indicated to ESPN that Ronaldo intends to boycott a second consecutive league match due to the absence of a definitive assurance that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) will implement changes regarding the management of the club.

Despite this, it is reported that Al Nassr expects Ronaldo to participate in Friday’s match against Al Ittihad, especially after he missed a match earlier this week against Al Riyadh.

Ronaldo’s discontent stems from the PIF’s reluctance to invest in the team during the winter transfer period, particularly as rivals Al Hilal—also 75% majority-owned by the PIF—secured the signing of his former Real Madrid teammate, Karim Benzema, from Al Ittihad.

In response to these concerns, the league released a statement on Thursday, underscoring the financial autonomy of each club. “The Saudi Pro League is structured around a straightforward principle: every club operates independently under the same regulatory framework,” stated a league spokesperson.

“Each club has its own board, executives, and football leadership. Decisions regarding recruitment, spending, and strategy are made by the clubs themselves, within a financial framework designed to promote sustainability and competitive balance. This framework is uniformly applicable across the league.”

The spokesperson continued, “Cristiano has been deeply involved with Al Nassr since his arrival and has played a vital role in the club’s ambitions. As a top-tier competitor, he desires victory. However, no individual, no matter how significant, can dictate decisions beyond their own club.”

The league’s competitiveness is evident, with only a few points separating the top four teams, demonstrating a balanced title race. “This level of equilibrium reflects a system that is functioning as intended. The emphasis remains on football—on the pitch—where it genuinely belongs—and on preserving a credible, competitive environment for both players and fans.”

It is understood that transfer funds do not originate from the PIF, but rather from a centrally managed player acquisition fund. This fund allocates annual financial support to clubs based on their size, with the major four—Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli—reportedly receiving similar amounts prior to the last summer transfer window.

Al Nassr made significant investments in that window, acquiring João Félix and Kingsley Coman while also renewing Ronaldo’s contract until June 2027. This expenditure is believed to have depleted much of their player acquisition budget until they receive their next allocation prior to the summer window of 2026.

In contrast, Al Hilal’s signing of Benzema was financed through a private investor, an avenue that Al Nassr could have explored but chose not to.

Despite uncertainties surrounding his availability for Friday’s match, Al Nassr paid tribute to their star player on social media, wishing him a happy birthday. “The legend only grows. Your commitment, mentality, and leadership drive our dreams forward. Happy Birthday @Cristiano!” the post read.

This report includes contributions from ESPN’s Bruno Andrade, Julien Laurens, and PA.