Ronaldo’s Return to Al-Nassr: A New Chapter Amidst Challenges

omidbasir- Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest appearance for Al-Nassr occurred on January 30, where he contributed to the team’s victory against Al-Kholood, scoring alongside teammates Mohamed Simakan and Kingsley Coman. However, he has been absent from the last three matches. Despite his absence, Jorge Jesus’ squad has performed admirably, securing three consecutive victories without conceding a goal.

Reports suggest that Ronaldo has expressed frustration over a perceived lack of support from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) in Saudi Arabia. This sentiment was exacerbated when Karim Benzema transferred from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal, the current leaders of the Saudi Pro League, while Ronaldo’s own team could only observe.

Ronaldo returned to training relatively quickly, leading to speculation about his imminent return to the matchday squad. According to Fabrizio Romano, he is expected to be available for selection in the upcoming match against Al-Fateh on Saturday.

The Portugal international is anticipated to reunite with notable players such as Coman, Joao Felix, and Sadio Mane in the Al-Nassr lineup, suggesting that his earlier protest may have subsided.

Former Real Madrid teammate Toni Kroos has publicly supported Ronaldo, stating, “The Saudi league is a strange phenomenon. No one had heard of it before the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, and now they disrespect the man who put them on the world map. If Cristiano leaves tomorrow, this league will lose all its charm. Without Ronaldo, no one would see the Saudi league.”

In contrast, the Saudi Pro League issued a statement emphasizing its independent club structure, asserting that each club operates under the same regulations. They noted, “Clubs have their own boards, their own executives, and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending, and strategy reside with those clubs, ensuring sustainability and competitive balance. No individual, however significant, determines decisions beyond their own club.”

Ronaldo’s return is a significant boost for Al-Nassr, who are currently on a seven-game winning streak. He has netted 17 goals this season in the Saudi Pro League, trailing only Ivan Toney and Julian Quinones, who have 20 and 18 goals, respectively.

Securing a win this weekend is crucial for Ronaldo and his teammates, as they currently sit third in the league standings. A victory would elevate them to second place, just one point behind Al-Hilal.

Al-Hilal recently defeated Al-Ettifaq 2-0, with goals from Mohamed Kanno and Salem Al-Dawsari.

As Ronaldo prepares for his return, he remains focused on achieving 1,000 professional career goals before retirement. His most recent goal brought him to 961, leaving him with just 39 more to reach this milestone. It remains to be seen whether he will achieve this feat during his time with Al-Nassr or if he will seek a new challenge elsewhere amid the ongoing off-field developments.